HC Deb 07 December 1937 vol 330 cc198-9
45. Mr. David Grenfell

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received a written report from M. Van Zeeland on the result of his mission to the United States of America, particularly in regard to the conclusion of a trade agreement between the United States and this country; and whether it is proposed to publish a statement with full details of the report?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

I am not at present in a position to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 29th November to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson), namely, that M. Van Zeeland is preparing his report, but it has not yet been received. As regard the second part of the question, I shall be ready to consider the question of a public statement when the report has been received.

Mr. Grenfell

Are we to assume from the Prime Minister's statement that he is expecting the report and that a statement will be made before long?

The Prime Minister

I cannot say when the report will be received, but I have no reason to think that it will be long delayed.

Sir Archibald Sinclair

The point is that the Prime Minister will let the House know and that the report will be made public?

The Prime Minister

That is rather a different question. I was asked whether I would make a public statement. I said I would consider the question when the report was received. The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the question of the publication of the report is not a matter for me to decide alone. It is a matter also for M. Van Zeeland and the French Government. Perhaps I may add that I have no reason to suppose that either of them will object to the publication of the report.