§ Mr. MATHERS(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister if he proposes to make any change in the administration of Dominion affairs preparatory to the meeting of the Imperial Conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe approach of the Imperial Conference and the nature of its business necessitate a separation of the offices of the Dominions and Colonies, which has already been made by declaration but not in fact. At the moment there are two Under-Secretaries of State for these Offices, but they still have one head in common. I propose now to put a head over each Office. This ought to have been done before, but it was so inconvenient that my predecessors as well as myself delayed it. Now, in preparation for the Imperial Conference, it must be done.
The economic relations between the Dominions and ourselves have always been a matter of great interest to this Government. There have been exchanges of views on the subject with the Dominions, and the whole question is being thoroughly examined in preparation for what will be one of the most important discussions at the Imperial Conference. I am anxious that the contacts already established between the Lord Privy Seal on the one hand and Dominion Ministers on the other should be further and more effectively used both for inter-Imperial purposes and in connection with our own unemployment policy.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have therefore decided to ask the Lord Privy Seal to take the Dominions, and he has consented. That will necessitate a readjustment of the machinery set up for dealing with unemployment, but that will be announced in due course.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAre we to gather from the Prime Minister's statement that it is intended to create a salaried post of the first magnitude as an addition to the Cabinet offices?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt was intended some years ago that the Dominions, on account of their new position 1966 and constitution, should be separated from the Colonies, and after the decisions of the Imperial Conference of 1926 it is absolutely impossible for this country to meet another Imperial Conference without a division having taken place.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWill the right hon. Gentleman, in making these important constitutional propositions to the House in due course, consider whether, by the suppression of other offices, he can assure us that no additional charge will fall on the Exchequer?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can assure the right hon. Gentleman that that discovery has not escaped my observation.
§ Major COLFOXAre we to assume that the Lord Privy Seal is to get another job?
§ Mr. STANLEY BALDWINMay I take it there will be a Supplementary Estimate this Session for the salary?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat I am not very sure about. If it is necessary, it will be done.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLBut you cannot get a penny out of the Exchequer without it.