§ Mr. Eden(by Private Notice) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make about his recent discussions in Brussels and the forthcoming meeting of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers.
§ Sir S. CrippsAs the House is aware, I visited Brussels last week to meet M. Spaak, M. Petsche and Mr. Harriman for a further discussion on the form of the Intra-European Payments Scheme and 981 allied subjects. No conclusions were arrived at, but the meeting was adjourned until tomorrow in Paris, when there will be a further meeting of the Consultative Group, followed by a full meeting of the Council of O.E.E.C. at the Ministerial level. I am leaving for Paris this afternoon so as to have the opportunity of a further talk with M. Spaak before the Consultative Group meets tomorrow morning. I cannot, therefore, give the House any information now, but I will certainly do so after my return from Paris. I hope that in the meantime the matter will not be made more difficult by exaggeration. Discussion of these matters is indeed one of the objects of O.E.E.C.
I am certain that the common determination to work for European co-operation and for the liberalisation and multilateralisation of European trade will lead us to a solution of our problems.
For the moment I cannot give any more information about the meeting of Empire Finance Ministers.
§ Mr. EdenMay I ask the Chancellor to accept the fact that everybody on all sides of the House will wish success to these discussions, and may I also ask him if he will bear in mind that the more he can keep this House informed the less danger there will be of exaggeration outside it?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for what he has said, and I certainly will keep the House as fully informed as I can, but, as he will appreciate, it sometimes happens that we have to agree not to make statements about negotiations when they are at a certain stage.