§ Mr. CROFTasked if the date of the first meeting of the Imperial Commissioners has now been fixed?
Mr. HARCOURTIt is hoped that the Commission will meet soon after the arrival of the Australian member on 10th June.
§ Mr. CROFTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the possibility of adding a representative for the West Indies to the Imperial Trade Commission; and, if not, whether the Commission will hear witnesses from the West Indies in London in the event of its not being able to visit those islands?
Mr. HARCOURTThe resolution of the Conference under which the Commission has been appointed does not contemplate any representation of the West Indies. The Commission will decide what witnesses it will hear under the terms of reference.
§ Mr. CROFTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable feeling on the part of those who are interested in the trade of the West Indies that there should be some such consideration as I have indicated?
Mr. HARCOURTThe whole proceedings of the Commission are regulated by the decision of the Conference, which was a Conference of the self-governing Dominions.
§ Mr. CROFTConsidering that there are at the present time negotiations going on between the West Indies and other Dominions, surely the right hon. Gentleman does not say that the suggestion is not germane to the matter?