§ 23. Mr. Rees-Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who is to be the British representative on the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, which is due to meet at Shanghai on 16th June; what are the terms of reference of the Commission; and what is the agenda for this meeting.
§ Mr. BevinThe United Kingdom representative is Sir Andrew Clow, formerly secretary of the Industries and Labour Department of the Government of India. He was latterly Governor of Assam. The terms of reference of the Commission, which are still subject to alteration or addition, provide that it shall initiate and participate in measures for facilitating concerted action for the economic reconstruction of Asia and the Far East; make or sponsor investigations and studies of economic and technological problems and developments; and collect appropriate economic data. The full text is being placed in the Library of the House, together with the provisional agenda of the first session. The first session will be largely concerned with procedural matters.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesIs my right hon. Friend aware that we cannot get economic stability in the Far East until the nations who participated in the war come to some agreement with regard to the issue of reparations from Japan; and, while I gather from my right hon. Friend that this will be taken into account by this Economic Commission, will he say whether it would be or would not?
§ Mr. BevinI am afraid that does not arise out of the Question. If I am to deal with reparations from Japan I should like notice. My hon. Friend should put down a Question about it, because that is a separate subject.
§ Mr. John PatonWill my right hon. Friend take steps to ensure that adequate reports of the proceedings of the Commission will also be placed in the Library?