§ 45. Mr. Dayasked the Prime Minister what steps the Government propose to take for the purpose of ensuring closer economic relationship between Great Britain and the British Commonwealth of Nations?
§ 48. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister whether, before the meeting of the Imperial Conference, an opportunity will be afforded hon. Members of discussing the proposals of the Government in relation to inter-Imperial trade?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Baldwin)As the House is aware, a new Trade Agreement has recently been concluded with Canada, and general trade discussions are now in progress with the Minister of Finance of New Zealand. It is proposed that at the Imperial Conference there should be a general review of the progress of Empire trade and questions arising therefrom, but that any questions arising out of the Ottawa Agreements should be dealt with as occasion offers in separate discussions between the individual Governments concerned and apart from the Imperial Conference. In the circumstances, the question of discussion in this House prior to the meeting of the Imperial Conference does not seem to arise.
§ Mr. DayWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether all the self-governing dominions and the other communities will have the opportunity of discussing this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not quite know what the hon. Member means, but I might say, in addition to what I have said in the answer, that the British Government are not putting down on the agenda any specific proposals such as the House might desire to discuss. Whether any Dominion Government will do so we do not know, but they have not put anything down as yet.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs regards the separate conference to discuss matters arising out of the Ottawa Agreement, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to sound the opinion of the House?
§ The Prime MinisterWith regard to the Canadian agreement, I understand that there will be some forthcoming legislation on which that could be discussed. Any of these matters dealing with trade agreements can, I understand, be raised on the pertinent Estimates. There is no particular item on the agenda which will give the opportunity that the hon. Member desires.
§ Mr. ShinwellWould not discussion on the Canadian agreement be much too narrow?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not really know about that.
§ 46. Mr. Pilkingtonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of its importance, he will make arrangements to put the subject of emigration definitely on the agenda of the forthcoming Imperial Conference?
§ The Prime MinisterI fully appreciate the importance of migration within the Empire, and I expect that there will be an opportunity during the course of the Imperial Conference for exchanges of views on the subject. In many of its aspects, however, the question of migration is more suited for discussion with individual Governments than in full conference, and I do not think that there would be any advantage in proposing any more definite arrangement at this stage.
§ Mr. LunnWill the right hon. Gentleman see that there is a proper discussion between the United Kingdom Govern- 2060 ment and the Governments of the Commonwealth on this question?
§ The Prime MinisterI think there probably will be. I hope there will be.