§ 46. Captain W. BENNasked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention before the Imperial Conference meets to make a statement on the policy of the Government concerning matters which will come up for discussion; and whether the House of Commons will, like the Dominion Parliaments, have an opportunity of expressing their opinion before the Conference meets?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As to the second, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to my Noble Friend the Member for Shrewsbury on the 14th of June.
§ Captain BENNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister of every Dominion has stated his policy at this Conference and that he alone has not stated his policy; and is it right that this Government and this Parliament alone should be prevented from discussing such an important matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe object of a Conference surely is to confer, and the process of conferring is necessarily exploratory, and if those explorations yield results, those results will be discussed in the House of Commons. In the meantime, I do not see that a debate would serve any useful purpose, although, if desired, one could be held on the Consolidated Fund Bill.
§ Captain BENNCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to an extension of Preference to foodstuffs?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not in accordance with precedent to have a discussion of the programme of such a Conference before it actually takes place? Such a discussion took place before the last Conference.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think that is the case necessarily—certainly not a discussion of policy. I am not aware of a debate in which matters of policy were involved. But a debate on the subjects to be considered has, I think, been held before.
§ Captain BERKELEYIf specific questions be put to the Government on the Colonial Office Vote will they not be answered?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt depends entirely whether they are answerable.
§ Captain BENNWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question—whether it is the Government policy to extend the preference to foodstuffs?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think that is a question which can be answered. There would have to be a mass of evidence brought forward, and the subject would have to be explored.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the right hon. Gentleman received Mr. McKenna's assent to the extension of preference to foodstuffs?