§ 58. Sir WILLIAM MITCHELL-THOMSONasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government in Great Britain have received any telegraphic comments from any of the Dominions, Possessions, or Colonies upon the proposals of the Government in regard to Imperial Preference; and, if so, whether he will communicate the same to the House?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Ponsonby)I have been asked to reply to this question. As the hon. Member will have gathered from Press reports, a telegram has been received from the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia. With regard to the second part of the question, as has been explained to the House on many occasions in recent years, it would be impossible for there to be a frank interchange of views between the Prime Ministers of the various parts of the Empire if the course suggested in the question were adopted.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONHave any communications been received from Queensland?
§ Mr. PONSONBYI think not, but I should like notice.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONWhat opportunity does the hon. Gentleman sug- 25 gest the House should have of being informed on this matter before it is asked to take a decision?
§ Mr. PONSONBYThe right hon. Gentleman will understand that piecemeal publication of telegraphic communications from the Dominions would be very undesirable.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI accept the objection to piecemeal publication, but, when the correspondence is complete, will the hon. Gentleman see that it is laid?
§ Mr. PONSONBYPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow did this first dispatch get into the Press?
§ Mr. PONSONBYI have no control over the Press.