§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that at the Colonial Conference of 1887 expert evidence was called in to assist the deliberations; and whether he will consider the advisability of following the same course at the forthcoming Imperial Conference?
§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the first meeting of the 1887 Colonial Conference was attended by the Prime Minister of the day and many of his colleagues, as well as by Members of the late Ministry, former Secretaries and Under Secretaries of State for the Colonies, Members of both Houses of Parliament, and other eminent men well known for their interest in matters relating to the Colonies; whether this arrangement met with the approval of the Conference; and whether he will consider the advisability of issuing similar invitations for the opening meeting of the Imperial Conference of 1911?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will answer the next question at the same time. The precedents for the forthcoming Conference are those of 1897, 1902, and 1907, which were Conferences with the Prime Ministers of the self-governing Dominions, and its constitution has been defined by the first Resolution of the Conference of 1907. I do not see how the Conference of 1887 can be cited as a precedent, since it included other persons than Ministers, and also Crown Colony representatives. Any expert assistance which may be required will be provided by the official assistants of the Ministers, who will be present.
§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEWith reference to the 1887 Conference, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proceedings were arranged by the Prime Minister himself, and not by the members of the Conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat does not in any way affect my answer. The proceedings of this Conference are determined by the resolutions of the last.