HC Deb 01 February 1938 vol 331 cc20-2
47. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with reference to the Report received from M. van Zeeland?

The Prime Minister

The proposals in M. van Zeeland's Report raise many complicated issues—financial, economic and political—which will require careful study by His Majesty's Government and by the other Governments concerned; and it would be premature to expect me to make any considered statement about them until this study has been completed. But I should like to take this opportunity of expressing publicly our warmest gratitude to M. van Zeeland for the energy and public spirit with which he has carried through this delicate and difficult inquiry. I feel that all who read the Report will recognise in it a constructive effort to restore international economic co-operation, and I hope that its proposals will be examined everywhere in the same objective spirit as inspired its compilation.

Mr. Henderson

In view of the gravity of the international situation, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance to this House that consideration of the van Zeeland Report will be treated as a matter of urgency in order that definite action may be taken as soon as possible?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member will see that there is no question of definite action by one Government alone. This is a matter which requires co-operation. I think I can assure him that the Report will be taken as being an urgent matter, and I have no doubt that it will be followed up by steps to bring about the co-operation.

Mr. Attlee

May I ask whether, when the Government have had time to consider the van Zeeland Report, there will be an opportunity for the Government to state their conclusions and for a discussion in the House on the whole of the issues raised?

The Prime Minister

If the right hon. Gentleman has read the van Zeeland Report he will see that M. van Zeeland does indicate what, in his view, would be the best method of procedure. He calls it, I think, "methods of realisation," and he contemplates some preparatory soundings of the ground in various directions in respect of the various Governments. I think that it would be a pity for His Majesty's Government or any other Government to express their own views publicly before they had heard the views of others who are concerned. For that reason I should prefer to await the result of the preliminary soundings referred to, but there will, no doubt, be opportunities for discussion at a later stage.

Mr. Attlee

Would it not be useful if-there were some preliminary soundings in this House in order to get the views of the House upon the report? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, further, whether we may take it that the Government will not in the meanwhile take action that would run counter to the broad lines suggested for bringing about greater economic co-operation?

The Prime Minister

I cannot think of any action which the Government have in mind which would be contrary to the suggestions and recommendations of the report. I think there will probably be an opportunity for discussion, and I suggest that one of the days on which we are discussing the Civil Vote on Account might be an occasion.

Mr. T. Williams

May I ask whether, during the time when preliminary soundings are taking place, there will be a halt called in regard in the imposition of further Customs duties?

Mr. Lansbury

In considering these questions will the Government have before them the extreme urgency of the position and the fact that the public is most concerned that there should not be a long-drawn-out delay in bringing these matters to a head?

The Prime Minister

Again I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that there are several Governments concerned in this matter.

Mr. Lansbury

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to take into account that there are two Governments who invited M. van Zeeland to undertake these inquiries, and that therefore these two Governments have a little more responsibility in urging other Governments to come to a decision, and in themselves coming to a decision, at the earliest possible moment?

The Prime Minister

Yes, I agree with the right hon. Gentleman there. I think that the primary responsibility for the next move lies with the French and British Governments, who commissioned M. van Zeeland to undertake this inquiry, and that, no doubt, will be the course taken.

Colonel Wedgwood

May we be assured that no action will be taken in the direction of pledging the advance of money to the dictatorship Governments?