§ 45. Mr. HICKS (for Mr. THORNE)asked the Prime Minister the approximate date when the Report of the Preparatory Committee now sitting at Geneva will be presented; and whether it will be possible to convene the World Economic Conference not later than the first week of January next?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)The Preparatory Commission of Experts have presented an interim report in the form of a letter of yesterday's date from the President of the Preparatory Commission to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his capacity as chairman of the organising committee for the World Conference which was appointed by the Council of the League of Nations. I am not at present able to make any statement as to the date on which the World Monetary and Economic Conference will 512 meet, but, as the House is aware, it is our desire that it should meet as soon as possible.
§ Mr. ATTLEEMay I take it that the Prime Minister is not modifying the statement which he made in the Debate the other day, that he hoped that it would be at a very early date, and that anyone who says that it will be at a later date is guilty of a. grave mistake.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI did not say that exactly. I said the first part of the question, but not to the second. I repeated in the answer to the question what I said the other day in the House.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESThe Prime Minister implies that the rumour which is prevalent in Geneva, that the British delegates were authorised to hold out for a later meeting, were, in fact, acting in a way contrary to the views of the Prime Minister himself.
§ The PRIME MINISTEREverything that the British Government can do and its representatives will do in connection with this meeting will be directed to securing an earlier meeting of the World Conference.