HC Deb 30 November 1949 vol 470 cc1129-30
23. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will discuss the Council of Europe with Commonwealth Ministers in his forthcoming visit to the Colombo conference.

Mr. Mayhew

The agenda for the conference has not yet been finally settled, and the hon. Member will appreciate that I am not in a position to give him a definite assurance that this specific question will be discussed.

Mr. Lindsay

Will my hon. Friend convey to the Foreign Secretary that this is a unique opportunity to obtain good understanding with the Dominions, in view of the fact that they are constantly told that European co-operation is being limited by imperial commitments? Will he take note of the unanimous resolution that was passed yesterday by the United Kingdom Council?

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend is certainly aware of that point. I am unable to give the assurance because I must know the views of the other Governments first.

Mrs. Leah Manning

In view of the unanimous resolution which was passed by the Council, does not my hon. Friend feel that the sooner the position is clarified the better for the growth of the Council? Can he think of any better way of getting it on the agenda at Colombo?

Mr. Mayhew

"I would point out that this has often been discussed in the past with the Commonwealth Ministers.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Is it not possible that the views of some Commonwealth countries may change, as in New Zealand, where the Conservatives have just won a resounding victory.

24. Mr. K. Lindsay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he will publish a White Paper on the recommendations of the Strasbourg Assembly to the Committee of Ministers, together with subsequent communications between the Committee of Ministers and the President of the Assembly.

Mr. Mayhew

A full report on the proceedings of the First Session of the Council of Europe was published as a White Paper on 25th October. This document contained a full text of the recommendations submitted to the Committee of Ministers by the Consultative Assembly. A report on the Second Session of the Committee of Ministers and of the second meeting of the Standing Committee of the Consultative Assembly is in course of preparation and will be laid before the House within the next few days.