§ 17. Mr. Granvilleasked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether it is the policy of his Department to hold regular meetings of the High Commissioners representing the Dominion Governments in London for the purpose of discussing matters affecting day-to-day consideration of war policy?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Shakespeare)Yes, Sir. It has long been the practice for the Secretary of State for Dominion 937 Affairs to meet Dominion High Commissioners either individually or jointly, more especially for the purpose of keeping them in touch with developments in foreign affairs and the war situation. Since the beginning of the war such meetings have generally been held daily and sometimes more than once a day.
§ Mr. GranvilleMay I ask whether the hon. Gentleman's noble Friend attends meetings of the War Cabinet, and also whether this routine machinery continues during visits to this country of Dominion Prime Ministers?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe answer to the first part of the supplementary question is that my noble Friend attends meetings of the War Cabinet, and as regards the second part, the meetings of High Commissioners continue in spite of the presence of Dominion Prime Ministers in this country.
§ Mr. GranvilleWill the Minister take steps to bring this machinery up to date in order to meet the needs of modern war?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThat raises another question.