HC Deb 28 March 1927 vol 204 cc841-3
19. Mr. RAMSDEN

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now indicate what are the principal subjects to be discussed at the forthcoming Colonial Conference; and when the full agenda will be published?

Mr. AMERY

In my reply to the right hon. Member for Derby (Mr. J. H. Thomas) on the 21st February, I indicated the primary object of the Colonial Office Conference. With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the detailed Agenda which have now been drawn up.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Will mandated territories be represented?

Mr. AMERY

Oh, yes.

Mr. WILLIAMS

And those mandated to Australia and New Zealand, as well as those mandated to us?

Mr. AMERY

No, Sir; it is only a Colonial Office Conference, of those which come under my jurisdiction.

Mr. RAMSDEN

Will all the Colonies be represented?

Mr. AMERY

Not quite all, but most.

Following are the detailed Agenda:

(A) Questions of General Administration.

  1. (1) Recruiting and training of Colonial civil servants.
  2. (2) General conditions of service of officers in the Colonial Service.
  3. (3) Relation of technical to administrative services.
  4. (4) Procedure and conduct of business in Colonial Legislatures.

(B) Economic Questions covering Trade and Communications.

  1. (1) Existing and future agencies in London.
  2. (2) Recent developments in mechanical transport.
  3. (3) Relation of road transport to railway development.
  4. (4) Civil air development in the Colonies, etc.
  5. (5) Wireless communications, internal and external, and broadcasting.
  6. (6) Participation of Colonies, etc., in International Exhibitions.

(C) Problems of Technical Services.

  1. (1) Co-operation and exchange of information between Colonial Governments, particularly in research and technical matters.
  2. (2) Medical education, including training of subordinate personnel.
  3. (3) Development of medical research.
  4. (4) Sanitation, town planning, housing, etc.
  5. (5) Agriculture and agricultural research.
  6. (6) Forestry.
  7. (7) Education:—
    1. (a) Constitution of an Advisory Council on Education to cover education in all the Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories.
    2. (b) Arrangements for the supervision of Colonial students in England; and
    3. (c) Examination standards for the local entry of clerks, etc., into the Colonial Service.
  8. (8) Films, their educational use and censorship.