HC Deb 03 May 1951 vol 487 cc1424-6
65. Mr. Lennox-Boyd

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what discussions took place in London with the Premier of Queensland on the question of a possible sugar agreement with Cuba, in view of the fact that the Premier of Queensland had authority to act on this question on behalf of the Federal Government of Australia; and what representations His Majesty's Government has received on this matter from His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia and from the Government of Queensland.

67. Mr. Lennox-Boyd

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations on what dates he exchanged views with His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia on the question of a proposed sugar agreement with Cuba.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Gordon-Walker)

No such discussion took place with the Premier of Queensland. He came to London in December, 1950, with authority to act on behalf of the Federal Government of Australia in discussions on the price to be paid by the United Kingdom for sugar imported from Commonwealth producers in 1951 under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.

I discussed a possible sugar agreement with Cuba with the Australian Resident Minister on 8th March. The Resident Minister was accompanied by the Agent-General for Queensland. There has also been correspondence on this subject between us and the Australian Government.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Is it not a rather strange thing that as the Premier of Queensland, with authority to act on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, was here throughout last November and December, at the time when these talks were taking place with Cuba, no reference was made to him about this matter?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

The Premier of Queensland was empowered by the Federal Government to do certain things. The reason why he was not informed at that time of our talks with Cuba was that they were still at a very exploratory stage. We told Australia on 1st March that we were having such talks with Cuba. There has not been any agreement reached yet with Cuba, so they have had very long notice and nothing has happened.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that at the time the Queensland Agent-General in London and the Resident Minister were told about these talks, they had been going on for six months? During that period we have had the visits from the Queensland Premier and from the Australian Prime Minister and no statement was made to either of those gentlemen.

Mr. Gordon-Walker

That is quite right, because talks with Cuba had not reached a point or a particular subject which merited informing them. They were informed on 1st March. There is still no agreement with Cuba so there is no legitimate complaint.

Mr. Peter Smithers

The right hon. Gentleman says they had not reached any subject which merited informing the Premier of Queensland, but is it not a fact that several months earlier the question of sugar had been discussed with the Cuban Government?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

Yes, it had been generally mentioned, among other matters, but it had not crystallised down to this question, which was of concern to Australia. The moment it reached that point we informed the Australian Government.

Mr. Braine

Does that answer mean that His Majesty's Government do not accept the principle that there should be prior consultation with Dominion and Empire Governments before even exploratory talks with foreign countries?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

If it concerned a particular Commonwealth Government we would tell them. The Commonwealth Sugar Agreement is not in any way affected by the proposed agreement with Cuba.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of Question No. 65, which asks what representations His Majesty's Government have received on this matter from His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia and from the Government of Queensland?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

I did say, of course, in my answer that I had seen the Resident Minister and that there had been correspondence on a number of occasions—I have not the dates in mind—between ourselves and the Australian Government. They put their views in that correspondence and when I met the Resident Minister and I gave the answer, namely, that the proposed agreement with Cuba does not in any way affect the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he knew of these talks and whether the Board of Trade told him?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

Yes, of course. Each always knows what the other is doing.