§ 54. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to which countries invitations were sent to serve on the groups to be set up to advise on scarce raw materials; what answers have been received; and whether he can now announce the composition of each group.
§ Mr. GaitskellI will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the composition of the Commodity Committees and the dates on which they are to meet, as announced by the Central Group of the International Materials Conference.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreMay I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why no invitation was sent to O.E.E.C. as such and what arrangements he is making to see that the work of O.E.E.C. and these commodity groups is integrated?
§ Mr. GaitskellThe question of the relations between O.E.E.C. and the commodity groups is being discussed between Dr. Stikker and representatives of the other countries concerned in Washington.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreDoes that mean that the right hon. Gentleman has set up the commodity groups without consultation with O.E.E.C. and that there was no plan before the setting up had been agreed between the two bodies?
§ Mr. GaitskellThe matter was discussed in Paris informally between the Ministers in the O.E.E.C. Council and, as a result, it was decided that Dr. Stikker should visit Washington, but, as a result of the political situation in Holland, his visit was rather delayed.
§ Mr. Walter FletcherWas Indonesia invited to take part, and has she accepted?
§ Mr. GaitskellI am afraid that without notice I could not specify which countries have accepted and which have rejected the invitation.
§ Following are the particulars:
§ Copper, Zinc and Lead Committee—26th February
§ United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Canada, Belgium (for Benelux), Chile, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Mexico, Norway and Peru.
§ Sulphur Committee—1st March
§ United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Canada, Union of South Africa, New Zealand, Belgium (for Benelux), Brazil, France and Italy.
§ Cotton and Cotton Linters Committee—5th March
§ United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, India, Belgium (for Benelux), Brazil, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Mexico and Peru.
1913§ Tungsten and Molybdenum Committee—8th March
§ United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
§ Manganese, Nickel and Cobalt Committee—12th March
§ United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, India, Union of South Africa, Belgium (for Benelux), Brazil, Cuba, France, Federal Republic of Germany and Norway.
§ Wool Committee—2nd April
§ To be announced at a later date