IMPERIAL ECONOMIC CONFERENCE.

HC Deb 30 June 1931 vol 254 c1034

4. Mr. DAY

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the date has now been settled when the Imperial Economic Conference will be held at Ottawa?

Mr. THOMAS

No, Sir.

Mr. DAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when it is proposed to make the announcement?

Mr. THOMAS

It does not rest with us. The hon. Member must be aware that it rests entirely with the Canadian Government.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Is it likely to be this year or next year?

HON. MEMBERS

Or some time, or never?

Mr. THOMAS

The hon. Member cannot have been present when I read the statement to the House.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Yes, I was here and heard it

Mr. THOMAS

If the hon. Member was present, he must have heard me state that Mr. Bennett had said not this year.

1. Mr. A. M. SAMUEL (for Sir KINGSLEY WOOD)

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, having regard to the postponement of the Ottawa Conference, he intends to make any immediate proposals for any measure of Imperial economic preference?

Mr. THOMAS

I think that the right hon. Gentleman cannot have read the announcements made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week, and by the Prime Minister yesterday, as to War Debt payments.