§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask the Secretary of State 1113 for the Colonics whether, before discussing the commercial relations of the Empire with the representatives of the self-governing Colonies when they are here for the Coronation, he will afford the House an opportunity of considering the attitude that should be adopted by the mother country in respect to any proposals that may be made for establishing a system of mutual trade preference within the Empire.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I do not think that there would be any advantage in such a preliminary discussion until definite proposals upon which the Colonies are generally agreed are before His Majesty's Government.