§ 1. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can now state what progress has been made in regard to the preparations for the Imperial Economic Conference to be held at Ottawa this summer?
§ 2. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs 3 whether he is now able to give an assurance that all the Dominions will be represented at the forthcoming Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)The arrangements for the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa are in the hands of His Majesty's Government in Canada, and I have not yet heard definitely whether all the Dominions will be able to be represented, though it seems likely that this will be the case. As regards the preparations for the Conference in so far as His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are concerned, these are in active progress.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House who the British representatives will be?
§ Mr. THOMASImmediately they are known, I will be delighted to inform the House.
§ Colonel GRETTONCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the Dominions will be represented by their respective Prime Ministers or by others?
§ Mr. THOMASI can say in advance that in some cases they will not be represented by their Prime Ministers for reasons purely internal to themselves; as the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, in some cases elections are taking place.