HC Deb 19 July 1910 vol 19 cc1074-5
Mr. HAMERSLEY

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the short time intervening before the next Colonial Conference will be held in London, and as yet no list of subjects to be considered by the Conference has been formulated, he will consider a request for the appointment of a Committee of this House to report to this House what subjects are recommended for consideration by the Conference, and, if approved by the House, a copy of such list of subjects shall be sent at as early a date as possible to each of the Dominions oversea, so that the representatives at the Conference of such Dominions shall be able on the assembly of the Conference to enter into the consideration thereof without any delay, and the people of the Dominions shall have an opportunity of knowing what subjects will be dealt with before their representatives leave for this country?

The PRIME MINISTER

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government are, and must remain responsible for the subjects which they will submit for consideration by the Imperial Conference, just as His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions are responsible for the Resolutions proposed by them. The hon. Member may rest assured that the business to be transacted at the Conference will be arranged at such a date as to allow for a full circulation of the subject matter as between ourselves and the Dominions. This is, of course, the business of the permanent secretariat attached to the Conference.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the Resolution relating to emigration came before the Imperial Conference last year not one of the delegates knew anything whatever about it and that the Colonial Secretary was unaware how the matter related to the various Colonies?

The PRIME MINISTER

I cannot charge my memory with that, but it certainly will not occur again.

Mr. HAMERSLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that all the questions to be submitted will be sent out to the Dominions in time so that those Dominions Will have cognisance of them?

The PRIME MINISTER

Certainly.