HC Deb 24 February 1943 vol 387 cc140-1
3. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the broadcast by Mr. Sumner Welles, on 12th February, urging that now is the time to consider the practical manner in which an international police power could be exercised in the world of the future and the achievement by international co-operation of general economic reconstruction; and whether he will give an assurance that steps are being taken to carry this out now?

4. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the recent utterances of the Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, and Navy Secretary, Colonel Knox, urging the United Nations, among other things, to prepare now for post-war collaboration in commercial and economic matters, and thereby avoid possible friction and rivalry after the war is ended; and what response His Majesty's Government intend to make to these appeals?

Mr. Eden

His Majesty's Government are anxious to co-operate with the United States Administration and others of the United Nations in finding a solution to all these questions, and, as I explained in reply to a Question on 20th January, we have already made considerable progress in preparing the ground for discussions on economic and financial matters.

Mr. Davies

Are the American and British Governments already working on plans for reconstruction after the war?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir, we are certainly working on them.