§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the advisability of utilising the presence in this country of the Prime Ministers of the over-sea Dominions for the purpose of discussing with them what official meaning should be attributed throughout the Empire to the word Imperial; whether he is aware that in the Dominions oversea, as well as in the Crown Colonies, the Home Government is invariably referred to as the Imperial Government, a designation following the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland; that on the occasion of the last assembling of the Conference, over which he is now presiding, it was decided to call that Conference the Imperial Conference, thus for the first time bringing into direct official conflict the word Imperial when applied to the Parliament of 1054 the home country, and to an assembly including representatives of the oversea Dominions?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)I am afraid that it would hardly be profitable for me to discuss this matter with the Prime Ministers of the oversea Dominions, as proposed by the hon. Member. The designation "Imperial Government" has gradually become a customary expression, but is not, strictly speaking, an official term. The designation "Imperial Conference" was adopted at the Conference of 1907 to mark the association between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Governments of the self-governing Dominions. It does not appear to be possible to prescribe the use of the word Imperial or to stamp it with a rigid official meaning. It probably adequately represents the views of those who employ it.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be advisable in the interests of everyone that some official designation should be given of the word "Imperial"?
§ Mr. HARCOURTNo.