§ MR. EVELYN CECIL (Aston Manor)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the Resolution unanimously passed at the annual meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, held in London on the 6th 382 March, stating that the issue of the Colonial Conference will largely determine the nature of the future relations between the Mother Country and the Colonies, and therefore praying His Majesty's Government to afford a warm welcome to the Colonial representatives and so to conduct the negotiations that reciprocal trading within the Empire may be promoted and that the ties of sentiment may be supplemented by the equally strong ties of self-interest furnished by reciprocal trading; and what effect he can see his way to give to the Resolution.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI believe the terms of the Resolution are as stated. A cordial welcome will of course be given by His Majesty's Government to the Representatives of the Colonies whom we have invited to come to London. It seems hardly necessary for this body of gentlemen who constitute the Associated Chambers of Commerce to pray for such a reception. The subject of Preferential Trade, as the hon. Member is aware, occupies a prominent place on the list of the subjects for discussion.
§ MR. EVELYN CECILasked whether the right hon. Gentleman intended to take any steps in regard to the Resolution passed by the London Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, by a majority of two to one, in favour of a change in our fiscal policy.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI do not see how that question arises out of my Answer.