HC Deb 10 June 1952 vol 502 cc2-4
3. Mr. T. Brown

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now consider the advisability of reconvening the conference of Commonwealth Ministers with a view to securing a broader co-operative economic policy.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

It is our hope to discuss these matters with other Commonwealth Governments. Our object would be a frank and full discussion with them on our common interests in this field. In the meantime, the close and frequent consultation between Governments in the Commonwealth, which the conference of Finance Ministers in January reaffirmed as their aim, is proceeding as a matter of day to day business.

Mr. Brown

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when this conference of frank talking to each other will take place? Can he give a specific date? Is he aware that the situation in Lancashire is growing progressively worse week after week and that people are tired of waiting for the Government to do something? Nothing appears to be being done.

Mr. Thorneycroft

The question of the timing and of consultation will, of course, be a matter for the whole Commonwealth as well as for the United Kingdom. On the question of Lancashire, the hon. Gentleman will be aware that I am having discussions at the present time on that particular matter.

Mr. Gaitskell

Has the President of the Board of Trade seen the report of Mr. Menzies's speech yesterday, in which he said that there was no time to lose before comprehensive consultations on the lines of a new Commonwealth conference were put in hand? Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's earlier answer that the Government have decided to summon such a conference, or at least to ask immediately the other members of the Commonwealth whether they are in favour of such a conference?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I not only saw the report of Mr. Menzies's speech, but also had the great privilege of listening to it. On the question of the timing of a conference, the Government are just as seized of the urgency of our problems as is anybody else, but I think it would be wrong to announce timings of conferences. I think the right hon. Gentleman would agree that the preparatory work before the conference is often as important as the conference itself.

Mr. Gaitskell

I asked the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government had approached the other members of the Commonwealth suggesting that such a conference should now be held. Will he give me an answer to that question?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Her Majesty's Government have not summoned a Commonwealth conference in that sense at all. Their policy is as stated in the answer to his Question which I gave the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman mean that the Government are content to engage in unilateral discussions with the various Commonwealth countries? Would it not be more advisable, and, indeed, is it not urgent, that there should be a general conference in view of the common interests involved?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I have already said that I think there are substantial advantages in having a general conference, but that, at the same time, that is not the only method of consultation. I rather agree with the view expressed by the right hon. Gentleman's own Government when they were in office, that a formal high level conference such as contemplated is by no means the only method of securing these ends.

Mr. Gaitskell

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman agrees with Mr. Menzies that comprehensive consultations were extremely important and necessary and there was no time to lose?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If the right hon. Gentleman will read my answer, he will see that in fact I did say that I thought there was substantial virtue in having a conference of this character.