§ Mr. LESLIE SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken towards carrying into effect the recommendations in favour of mutual preference between the West Indies and Canada recently made by the Royal Commission; and whether there is any provision in the proposed reciprocity agreement between Canada and the United States which need prevent or impair the successful working of such an arrangement between Canada and the West Indies?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Governors of the West Indian Colonies concerned have been instructed to ascertain the views of the legislatures of the Colonies under their Government with regard to the proposals of the Royal Commission, and until their replies have been received no further action can be taken. His Majesty's Government have not received any communication either from the Canadian Government or the Governments of the West Indian Colonies concerned which would lead them to infer that the proposed agreement between Canada and the United States of America is regarded as likely to prevent or impair the successful working of the agreements suggested by the Royal Commission.
§ Mr. LESLIE SCOTTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is, in fact, any provision in the proposed Agreement between Canada and the United States which will impair the successful operation of such an agreement, and whether he has received any information to that effect from those concerned?
§ Colonel SEELYI think the hon. Gentleman will see from the last part of the 388 answer that I have fully replied to that question.
Mr. CATHCART WASONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of this very novel proposal which has been made, the House of Commons will be given an opportunity of discussing the subject before a decision is arrived at?
§ Colonel SEELYI cannot give a pledge myself. The question should be addressed to the Prime Minister. The matter has not advanced very far yet, and I have very little doubt that the Prime Minister will be able to find an opportunity for discussion before anything definite is done.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Report of the Royal Commission is viewed with extreme disfavour by a large number of his supporters on this side of the House?
§ Colonel SEELYThat is a matter of opinion.
§ Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider himself bound by any of the recommezidations of the Royal Commission which are contrary to the settled policy of the Government in regard to Free Trade?
§ Colonel SEELYI cannot accept the implication of my hon. Friend's question. Of course, we are in no way bound by the recommendations of the Royal Commission.
§ Mr. BURGOYNEIs it not the policy of His Majesty's Government to permit the various Dominions to make arrangements between each other without interference?
§ Colonel SEELYThis is not a matter of a Dominion, but a matter of a Crown colony.