§ 55. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Prime Minister whether he has asked the Dominion Governments to participate in a further Imperial Conference this year; and, if so, whether the invitation has been accepted?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend will remember that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in the Debate on the Locarno Pact on 18th November last, expressed the hope that an Imperial Conference may not be too long delayed. This is also the view of His Majesty's Government, and they are in communication with the Governments of the Dominions and India with a view to fixing the most suitable date. The correspondence is not yet complete, but I shall hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEMay I ask if, as the result of these communications, a date is fixed for the Imperial Conference, that will include the Economic Conference at the same time?
§ The PRIME MINISTERObviously.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any one of the Dominions has declined to participate in any such Conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall be able, I hope, to give my hon. and gallant 318 Friend all the information he desires when the correspondence is completed.
§ 56. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Prime Minister whether he will invite from the Dominions an expression of opinion as to the best methods of increasing reciprocal trading within the Empire, and what measures of further Imperial preference they consider are necessary to bring about this desirable improvement in trade, and thus to assist emigration from this country within the Empire and what steps the Government intend to take to put into operation the recommendations of the Committee recently set up to deal with the question of inter-Empire trade?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should doubt whether the course of action indicated in my hon. Friend's question would, at this stage, be best calculated to advance the object which he, in common with His Majesty's Government, has in mind, namely, the development of trade within the Empire. The matters in question could, I think, be more usefully discussed at an Imperial Conference. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would observe that notice has already been given of the forthcoming introduction of a Merchandise Marks Bill, which formed the subject of one of the recommendations of the Imperial Economic Committee. I hope to be able to make a statement later on with regard to the other recommendations of the Committee.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a certain amount of dismay has been caused, not only in this country, but in the Dominions, at the attitude the Government have hitherto taken up with regard to the first and second reports of the Imperial Economic Committee, and will he give the House an assurance that the whole question of the organisation and development of Imperial trade will be carefully considered before the next Imperial Conference, so that specific proposals can be laid before that Conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think it is obvious that, before any Conference, we on this side as well as they on theirs must consider all matters dealing with inter-Imperial trade.
§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEWill the House of Commons have an opportunity of considering matters which will come before that Conference I
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe have not yet heard that there is to be a Conference.