§ 19. Mr. M. Philips Priceasked the Sectary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider initiating discussions with the independent states of the British and Dutch Dominions in South East Asia and with the U.S.A. for the purpose of promoting economic co-operation and development in these areas.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that adequate machinery already exists for this purpose. The Commissioner General for the United Kingdom in South East Asia has responsibilities for co-ordinating, in consultation with the various British Commonwealth and foreign territories concerned, the supply of basic foodstuffs in the area; and the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East deals with questions affecting the general economic rehabilitation of the area.