§ 46. Lieut. - Commander FLETCHERasked the Prime Minister whether in view of the prevailing anxiety in regard to international affairs he will invite the Dominion Prime Ministers to a conference for the framing of a comprehensive British Commonwealth foreign policy?
§ Sir J. SIMONI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answers which the Prime Minister gave on 6th May as regards the system of consultation with Dominion Governments in relation to foreign affairs, and to that of 15th June announcing that it had been arranged to hold an Imperial Conference next year. That conference will provide an opportunity for such. discussion of questions of foreign policy as may be found desirable. It would not be practicable for all the Dominion Prime Ministers to come to London at an earlier date, but opportunity is taken whenever Dominion Ministers are visiting this country to discuss foreign affairs with them.
§ Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very grave discrepancies in policy between this country and the Dominions, notably the Union of South Africa, which are becoming apparent; and in view of the threatening state of world affairs, is it not worth making a special effort to bring British policy and Dominion policy into line at this time?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think the answer which I have already given shows that the importance of the matter is fully understood, but the practical difficulties of meeting have to be borne in mind.