45. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Prime Minister whether in view of the assistance rendered to this country during the present wheat and food crisis by the 171 Dominions, the Government -will give an assurance that they will favourably consider the maintenance of Imperial Preference to the Dominion countries that have assisted.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)Our warmest thanks are due to other Governments of the British Commonwealth for the special efforts which they have so generously promised to make at the present time to increase still further their contributions towards maintaining world food supplies. There will be further opportunity later for expressing our gratitude to them more fully. As regards the latter part of the Question, it has already been made clear that there is no question of the reduction of Imperial Preference except as part of mutually satisfactory arrangements to the benefit of all parties concerned.
Mr. De la BèreIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that never in the whole course of the history of this country has there been such a wonderful response from the Dominions to the home country, and ought we not to be ever mindful of it?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, I was endeavouring to express that, however inadequately.