§ 45. Mr. SANDYSasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the appearance of any serious divergencies between the foreign policy of the United Kingdom and that of the Dominions would result in the undermining of Imperial unity and in the weakening of British influence for peace, His Majesty's Government intend to take the opportunity of the approaching visit of the representatives of the Dominions' Governments to impress upon them the need, in the present unsettled international situation, for setting up permanent Imperial machinery for the joint direction of foreign policy?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)As I stated in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hull (Brigadier-General Nation) on 2nd April, advantage will be taken of the presence of Dominion representatives in this country to discuss personally and informally any questions of particular importance outstanding, and I think my hon. Friend may be assured that consideration of any practical proposal that may be put forward for improving the methods of consultation and cooperation between this country and the Dominions in questions of foreign policy would come within the scope of these discussions.
§ Mr. SANDYSMay I ask the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government recognise that the existing facilities for co-ordination of foreign policy between the United Kingdom and the Dominions are not adequate?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend, I think, knows perfectly that the position is that if the facilities are not 527 adequate the Dominions themselves have to agree upon any change in the plan adopted. It has been a matter for consideration on various occasions between the Government here and the Governments of the Dominions
§ Mr. SANDYSMay we rely upon His Majesty's Government taking the lead. in remedying the present inadequacy?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe have always taken the lead in raising the question.