§ 24. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether His Majesty's Government is paying the expenses involved in the work of the Committee on Economic Consultation and Co-operation for the British Empire; and, if so, under what Vote it will appear?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)Each of the Governments represented on the Committee is bearing any necessary expenses of its own representatives. The Committee have accepted an offer by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to arrange for any assistance required from this country in the way of secretarial assistance and office accommodation. Any expenditure not met from existing services will be charged to the Dominion Services Vote.
§ Mr. GRENFELLIs there any reason why this country should pay these expenses for secretariat and staffs for the representatives of the other countries which are coming here?
Mr. THOMASThere is no reason why except this—that this is a committee 1764 founded as a result of the Ottawa Agreements to see whether it is possible to co-ordinate the whole of the existing agencies. Canada is responsible for calling the committee, and all the Dominions are paying the expenses of their representatives and the least that the British Government could do would be to offer secretarial facilities when the conference is being held in our own country. That is the least we would be expected to do, and that we are doing.