HC Deb 05 December 1932 vol 272 c1234
56. Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the delay in the meeting of the World Economic Conference, and the probability that any settlement of the currency problem in the Empire will promote a solution of international financial difficulties, he will give an invitation to the Dominions to join at once in an Empire conference for the purpose of arriving at a settled basis of exchange between different British possessions, thus facilitating and promoting the flow of Empire produce between all parts of His Majesty's Dominions?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, on the 28th November, to a similar proposal by my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd), to which I can add nothing.

Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister did not, in fact, give any reply. All that he said was that no such proposal had ever reached him. We are now putting this proposal before him. May we have a reply to it?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I think that my hon. Friend's recollection is at fault. The Prime Minister said that he had no reason to suppose that another conference would be welcomed by any part of the Empire.