§ 11. Mr. ALBERYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can now give the approximate date and place of the Imperial Conference?
Mr. M. MacDONALDI understand that His Majesty's Government in Canada, by whom the Conference is being convened, hope to make an announcement on this subject within the next few days.
§ Mr. ALBERYCan the Under-Secretary confirm the place where it will take place, and the approximate date within a month?
Mr. MacDONALDThere has been no alteration in the arrangements with regard to the holding of the Conference at Ottawa, and the approximate date, within a month, which has already been given in the Press, is quite correct.
§ 12. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will suggest as one of the items of the agenda for the Imperial Economic Conference the extent of Soviet propaganda and the activities of Soviet agents in the Empire, with a view to pooling all information and of taking joint action?
Mr. MacDONALDIn view of the fact that the Conference at Ottawa is meeting in order to deal with the economic relations between the several parts of the British Commonwealth, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not feel that the question suggested by the hon. Member would be suitable for inclusion in the agenda.
§ Mr. SMITHERSIn view of the obvious revolutionary activities of the Soviet Union in the world, and the way in which those activities affect British trade, may I again press that this subject be put on the agenda?
Mr. MacDONALDIt would be difficult to establish a connection between such propaganda and trade relations within the Empire, and, therefore, I think the reply I have given covers the point.