§ 55. Mr. Edelmanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will invite the International Materials Conference to set up a rubber commodity committee.
§ Mr. GaitskellA special inter-Governmental Conference met in London last month to review the present and prospective position of natural and synthetic rubber and to discuss various forms of international action which might be called for. The Conference has now adjourned for a short period, but is expected to meet again in a few weeks' time. My hon. Friend will no doubt agree that in the circumstances there would be no point in asking the International Materials Conference to set up a rubber commodity committee.
§ Mr. EdelmanIn view of the unfortunate squabbles between the United States and Malayan tin producers in the absence of a tin commodity committee, will the right hon. Gentleman not urge the setting up of a rubber commodity committee in order to avoid the same sort of trouble in the future?
§ Mr. W. FletcherDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the Rubber Study Group, which has existed and worked satisfactorily for a good many years, already provides what is required in this matter?
§ Mr. GaitskellI do not think it is a question of our not tackling the rubber problem. The question is whether we should have yet another conference when we have one already in existence.
§ 56. Mr. Edelmanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer through what agency the work of the International Commodity Committees is co-ordinated and related to the economic strategy of N.A.T.O.
§ Mr. GaitskellNo formal machinery has so far been established to co-ordinate the work in the raw material field of the International Materials Conference and N.A.T.O. I am not sure that this will be necessary in view of the fact that many members of the Commodity Committees and also members of N.A.T.O. and informal arrangements for co-ordination can no doubt be made if required.
§ Mr. EdelmanIs it not desirable to have some agency which could, for example, balance our just demand for sulphur against the Americans' just demand for rubber and, as there are many redundant inter-Governmental committees, will not the right hon. Gentleman consider setting up a combined resources board, associated with N.A.T.O., in order to coordinate our economic strategy?
§ Mr. GaitskellI think we must avoid trying to do too much over-co-ordination.
§ Mr. OsborneDoes not the Chancellor agree that there are far too many committees, both at home and abroad, interfering with trade?