§ Mr. GRETTONasked if the arbitration agreement now contemplated with the United States of America will be one of the subjects for consideration by the Imperial Conference; and if it is intended that Canadian questions shall be included in the terms of the agreement suggested by the Foreign Secretary?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, in his speech of 14th March, while welcoming the idea of such a general agreement as that referred to by the President of the United States of America, pointed out that no actual proposal was before His Majesty's Government. No proposal can therefore be submitted to the Imperial Conference for consideration. It is impossible to say anything in regard to the second part of the question until specific proposals are being considered.
§ Mr. OLIVER LOCKER - LAMPSONasked the Prime Minister if he can give the House an early opportunity of discussing upon a non-party basis the whole conditions under which the Imperial Conference will meet?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think there is any general desire for such a discussion, and I doubt whether any useful purpose would be served by it.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of this being Coronation Year, he will consider the question of making the opening of the Conference something more of a function than it has hitherto been?
§ Mr. OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Prime Minister whether he would consider the advisability of so separating the business and social duties of delegates attending the Imperial Conference that banquets and other convivial functions will not be allowed to clash with the official work which the Prime Ministers of the self-governing Colonies meet to transact in this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis is a matter entirely for the discretion of the Conference.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any idea of adjourning Parliament for a fortnight or three weeks during the sittings of the Imperial Conference, so that its deliberations may secure the undivided attention of the country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not see that that question arises in any way out of the answer.