§ 45. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of releasing those Cabinet Ministers who are delegates to the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa from all their Cabinet, Departmental and Parliamentary duties for a clear fortnight prior to their departure, so that they may have adequate opportunities of discussing and considering the agenda and British proposals in regard to the various items?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs explained in the Debate last Thursday, the preparations for the Ottawa Conference, which were instituted 1252 immediately the Government took office, are well in hand, and I do not think it necessary to consider the possibility of taking the action suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREIn view of the fact that this Conference is likely to be the one hope of salvation of the British Empire, if not of the world, would not the time be well spent in giving Ministers an opportunity of getting together before the actual Conference starts?
§ Mr. BALDWINThere is nothing I should like better, but it would be impossible.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs it not the ease that Ministers get on better when they are not together?