HC Deb 04 October 1939 vol 351 cc1962-3
Mr. Attlee

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is in a position to make a further statement regarding collaboration with the Dominion Governments?

The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Eden)

In order to supplement the existing arrangements for collaboration between the Governments of the British Commonwealth, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom recently inquired whether the other Governments concerned would be ready to arrange to send a Cabinet Minister to London to confer with Ministers here and with each other, the object in view being to co-ordinate to the best advantage the contribution which each of us can make to our common task. I am glad to say that this suggestion has been welcomed, and that the Governments of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa are each arranging to send a Cabinet Minister to this country to confer with us as soon as is practicable. We feel confident that we here shall benefit greatly from the fuller knowledge which we shall thus gain of the problems and plans of the Dominion Governments, and we hope that the Dominion Governments will also be helped by the first-hand impressions which a Ministerial representative would form and by the full report which he would take back with him.

Mr. Attlee

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when those meetings are likely to take place, and for how long they are likely to continue?

Mr. Eden

It has not been possible to fix an exact date yet, but the House can be assured that they will take place as soon as they can be arranged. The meetings are for the purpose of consultation and, in the circumstances, cannot be expected to last very long, since the Ministers concerned will want to take back reports to their countries as soon as they can.

Mr. Attlee

Has any approach been made in a similar way in order that representatives of the Indian people may be brought into consultation?

Mr. Eden

The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that that is not a question for me. Perhaps he will be good enough to put it down.