HC Deb 16 November 1937 vol 329 c213
45. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of letting it be known that the British Government would be prepared to consider sympathetically any application by a foreign State to become associated with the British Commonwealth of Nations on appropriate mutually advantageous terms?

Sir J. Simon

My right hon. Friend does not think that it would be desirable to make any statement as to the attitude of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in such a contingency unless and until the possibility suggested by the hon. Member arises in a practical form.

Mr. Mander

Would this not be a very good way of extending the area of the Pax Britannica in the world?

Mr. Garro Jones

Would the suggestion not be more likely to produce results if it were made clear that association with the British Commonwealth of Nations would not involve association with the National Government?