§ 18. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by his Department to confer with officials from the information agencies of British tropical Colonies and other colonial representatives in London, with a view to the drafting of a comprehensive scheme for the development of colonial trade before the commencement of the Ottawa Conference?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am in constant touch, not only with the trade agencies of the Colonies, but with those who are in a position to speak for the varied trade interests of different groups of Colonies. I am also in communication with all Colonial Governors on the possibilities of the extension of trade between the Dominions and the Colonies.
§ 39. Mr. MAXTONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, having regard to the disturbances arising from unemployment, if this question will be placed on the agenda of the Ottawa Conference as a separate item?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)The object of the Conference at Ottawa is, in accordance with the Resolution passed by the Imperial Conference of 1930,
to examine fully the various means by which inter-Imperial trade may best be maintained and extended.We certainly hope that one of the most; valuable results of the work of the Conference will be increase of employment in the several parts of the Empire.
§ Mr. MAXTONWill unemployment not be a specific subject on the agenda for special consideration, and also the various troubles that are arising in different parts of the Empire?
Mr. THOMASI assume not, but I assume that when we are approaching the problem of inter-Imperial trade, we shall have clearly in our minds all the time that a reduction in unemployment must or ought to result from our efforts.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISIs there any reason why unemployment should not be put on the agenda as an item for discussion?