§ 27. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when he proposes to call an Empire Economic Conference to plan Empire trade and Imperial preferences in the light of post-war conditions.
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerWe have already had three meetings with other Commonwealth representatives since the war to discuss matters of mutual interest connected with Commonwealth trade, including Imperial Preference. We are in close and continual touch with other Commonwealth Governments on economic matters generally and the hon. Member may rest assured that we shall propose further such meetings as occasion requires.
§ Mr. RussellWould the Minister not agree that the meetings he has just mentioned are not on the same scale as the Ottawa Conference of 1932, and does he not think it advisable to plan another such Conference to bring things up-to-date?
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerI would like notice of that question. I am very doubtful whether such a conference would be necessary at the moment. The methods of consultation in these days are very different from what they were when the Ottawa Conference was called.
§ Mr. BlackburnIs my right hon. Friend aware that many people understand the reason for it but, nevertheless, think it odd that we have a permanent organisation for European planning before we have a permanent organisation for Commonwealth and Empire economic planning? Will he bear that consideration in mind?
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerYes, of course I will, but my hon. Friend must also remember that the Commonwealth and Europe are very different places.
§ Mr. W. Robson-BrownIs the Minister also aware that there is widespread commercial and public uneasiness about the effect of the Havana Agreement, Bretton Woods and Dumbarton Oaks, and a feeling that our Commonwealth relationships have been allowed to drift?
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerI am not aware of that.
§ Mr. TurtonWill an opportunity be taken at the Sydney Conference to talk to the other Empire leaders to see whether an economic conference would be desirable, and whether we could not coordinate our Imperial policy?
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerThe Sydney Conference has come to an end.
§ Mr. Peter SmithersIs the Minister aware that if a conference of this kind had been held the Government would not now be engaged in acrimonious negotiations with the West Indies?
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerNo, Sir. The West Indies would not be represented at such a conference.
§ Mr. BraineIs it not a matter of increasing urgency that a full-scale conference should be held before the end of Marshall Aid?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydArising out of the right hon. Gentleman's last remark, surely he is under a misapprehension. That reference might be made in the case of a Dominions conference, but at an Imperial conference the British Colonies have always been represented, either by spokesmen nominated by the governors concerned or a group of Colonies, or by His Majesty's Government. [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] In case the last part of my remarks were not heard, and as this is very important, may I repeat that the British Colonies have always been represented, either by their own spokesmen, or by the British Government?
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerI quite agree, that that is true in the case of conferences of the Ottawa type, but this Question is addressed to the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations. As I am not responsible for the Colonies, I assumed that matters arising out of this Question referred to my Department.
§ Mr. BraineOn a point of order. May I have an answer to my supplementary question?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a point of order.