HC Deb 27 January 1944 vol 396 cc855-7
48. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister, whether the Government have considered the possibility of promoting agreement on post-war economic matters among the Dominions, India and Britain; whether any measures have been taken to achieve this object; and whether he will make arrangements to have a debate to enable hon. Members to indicate their views.

Mr. Attlee

Sir. The Governments of the Commonwealth including the Government of India are in constant touch on all subjects of common interest including post-war trade. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 9th November last. I do not think that at this stage a Debate would serve a useful purpose.

Mr. Shinwell

In view of the pronouncements by General Smuts, and by Lord Halifax quite recently, on this matter, is it not desirable that hon. Members also should be afforded an opportunity of making a pronouncement, and more particularly in view of the forthcoming Prime Ministers' Conference?

Mr. Attlee

I do not think that it would be useful at this moment.

Earl Winterton

Supposing a substantive Motion is put down in the names of hon. and right hon. Members in different parts of the House, will the right hon. Gentleman give favourable consideration to it; and will he also consider that, after all, it is for this House to say that it wants a Debate on these important matters and that it is not merely a question for the Government?

Mr. Attlee

I quite agree and my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has just stated that position. I am merely giving the opinion of the Government that, to serve the ends which we all wish, a Debate at this juncture would not be desirable.

Sir Geoffrey Shakespeare

Seeing that these issues are to be discussed in the next few months, is it not absolutely essential that the Government should be armed with the view of the House of Commons on these matters?

Mr. Granville

In view of the fact that statements have been made by the Australian Prime Minister and by our Ambassador in Washington; that there is a considerable public opinion on these subjects and that it is recognised that they will be discussed at the coming Imperial Conference, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the home Imperial Government ought to give some sort of lead on these matters?

Mr. Attlee

Yes, Sir, but in these matters on which discussion is going on, it is a question at what time it would be best to make a statement on behalf of the Government and at this particular time it would not be convenient.

Mr. Shinwell

If it is inadvisable to make a statement on this important matter, why did our Ambassador in the United States of America make such an important pronouncement; and did he consult His Majesty's Government?

Mr. Attlee

That is another matter.

Mr. Shinwell

It is not another matter. If a statement is made of world-wide importance, about which there is so much comment, surely Members of the House of Commons are entitled to take part in a Debate.

Mr. Attlee

It is for the hon. Member to put down a Question.

Mr. De la Bère

If it is other matters that matter, why not deal with the other matters?