HC Deb 17 May 1944 vol 400 c187
Mr. Edgar Granville

May I ask the Leader of the House whether, in view of reports in the newspapers to the effect that a report on the Empire Conference is to be issued in the next 48 hours, a statement on the Conference will be made in the House in the near future?

Mr. Eden

The statement to which my hon. Friend refers will be issued by the five Prime Ministers and, therefore, will appear over their five names. As regards the question of whether any statement will be made in the House, it is likely that, in the Debate next week, the Prime Minister will take the opportunity of elaborating certain aspects at any rate of the results of the work that has been done. I do not think I ought to enlarge on it more than that.

Mr. Bowles

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered extending the time for the Debate to-day?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. I have considered it and I have made inquiries through the usual channels. I have come to the conclusion that, on the whole, it will probably not be necessary because I understand that there is no desire to make very long speeches; also, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary hopes to intervene fairly early in the Debate, and we think that his intervention will slightly curtail the discussion.