HC Deb 05 November 1934 vol 293 c637
45. Major BEAUM0NT THOMAS

asked the Prime Minister whether he will approach the Dominions with the object of appointing an Imperial Committee to examine and report on the future economic planning of the Empire?

The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)

I will bear my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion in. mind; but it will be remembered that the object which he has in view was the basis of the work of the Ottawa Conference in 1932, and that the machinery for effecting it was examined in detail by an Imperial Committee which was set up in February, 1933, and reported in April of that year.

Major THOMAS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is grave danger of important decisions being taken in the Dominions and elsewhere with regard to the setting up of industrial enterprises without due consideration to the interests of the Empire as a whole?

Mr. BALDWIN

While I have every sympathy with my hon. and gallant Friend in his question, the difficulty has not been at this end, so far.