§ 10. Colonel GRETTONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if Empire migration will be one of the subjects to be considered at the Ottawa Conference?
Mr. THOMASI can assure the right hon. and gallant Member that the question of migration, as an essential element in economic co-operation within the Empire, will not be lost sight of by the United Kingdom delegation at the Ottawa Conference.
§ Colonel GRETTONMay I take it that my right hon. Friend will take care that this question is brought before, the Conference?
Mr. THOMASIt is bound to be linked up with all trade discussions. If my right hon. and gallant Friend means that the British Government are proposing to ask any of the Dominions to alter their migration policy so far as entrance at this moment is concerned, I do not think that would be practicable. As I have frequently stated, if we get an improvement in the Dominions that is the best thing for migration.
§ Mr. HANNONWould it not be advisable anyhow to put this item on the agenda paper so that the matter may be debated?
Mr. THOMASMy hon. Friend should know—I think he forgets—that the agenda is prepared by the Dominion which is our host. This morning, only a few hours ago, I received the agenda, and I can assure the House that no opportunity will be lost to discuss this question.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISCould the House see the agenda in due course?
Mr. THOMASI do not know about that, but I can give no answer now, seeing that I received the agenda only two hours ago.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYDoes the right hon. Gentleman really mean that the Government have no influence in the preparation of the agenda?
§ Mr. MANDERHave we no right to put anything on the agenda ourselves?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWould it not be very improper for us to see the agenda before the body that has to discuss it has seen it?
§ 14. Sir ADRIAN BAILLIEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a higher percentage of Empire manufacture is required before goods can be imported at preferential rates into the Dominions than is required for preferential importation into Great Britain; and whether he will bring this matter up for discussion at the Ottawa Conference, with a view to securing consistency of practice throughout the Empire?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIn pursuance of a recommendation of the Imperial Conference, 1930, the Imperial Economic Committee are now investigating this question. When His Majesty's Governments in the Empire receive the Committee's Report they will no doubt consider what steps should be taken in the matter. Meanwhile the situation will be watched so that, if necessary, advantage may be taken of the Ottawa Conference for consultation with representatives of the Governments concerned.
§ 30. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Prime Minister the names of the full British delegation that will proceed to Ottawa; and who will head the delegation?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)The Prime Minister made a full statement on this subject in a reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Sparkbrook (Mr. Amery) on the 17th March, to which there is nothing to add at present except that, as regards the representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, it is proposed that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries should himself be a delegate. The question who will 176 lead the delegation depends on the circumstances explained in the reply given on the 17th March.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman say when we are likely to have a full list of the names of the delegation?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe hon. Member has had a full list, if he remembers the reply of the 17th March to which I have referred. It is contingent on the length of the Conference at Lausanne and is also contingent on the length of this present Session. Until those questions have been settled, it is impossible to say definitely whether each of the Ministers whose names have been given will be able to go.