§ 37. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the League of Nations Economic Conference and in view of the fact that the Governments are invited to recommend representatives from among their own nationals, he will consider the question of securing the representation of the working class and of the consumers of this country on the Preparatory Commission, which is dealing, inter alia, with the general scheme of adapting world production to world consumption?
Mr. SAMUELThe Preparatory Committee was selected by the Council of the League of Nations, and has already begun its labours. The Council decided that it should be composed in part of persons who can express the workers' and consumers' point of view. So far as the British membership is concerned, I understand that it includes a leading trade unionist.
§ Sir J. NALLCan my hon. Friend say what was the name of the trade union representative, and whether he was present at the last meeting?
§ Sir J. NALLWhy was he not present?
Mr. SAMUELI cannot vouch for the correctness of what I am going to say, but it occurs to me that at the date of the first meeting he was engaged about the General Strike.