§ 45. Mr. Marloweasked the Prime Minister whether he will now endeavour to convene an Empire trade conference with the object of ascertaining the fullest possible extent to which imports now obtained from dollar sources could be obtained from Empire countries without payment of dollars.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)No, Sir. I do not think there is any need for a special conference such as the hon. Member suggests, as the Governments of the Commonwealth are already in very close touch on all questions of dollar-saving and dollar-earning. The proposed Commonwealth Conference in Colombo next January presents a further opportunity for consultation of which full advantage will be taken.
§ Mr. MarloweDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that what he calls keeping in "very close touch" means at a considerable distance, and that it would be much easier to solve this problem if he got the Empire countries around a table where it would soon be discovered that we could get most of what we require from the Empire and so reduce dollar imports?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is not our experience in this matter.