§ 45. Sir I. Fraserasked the Prime Minister whether he will now state what arrangements are being made for an Imperial Economic Conference.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement of 29th July about the arrangements for the Conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in London in the last week of November for the purpose of reviewing major issues of financial, commercial and economic policy. The preparatory discussions between officials of Commonwealth countries opened in London on 22nd September. They are expected to be concluded this week, when the delegations 204 will report to their respective Governments.
§ Sir I. FraserCan my right hon. Friend indicate whether Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will seek to urge upon Her Majesty's Governments in other parts of the Commonwealth a greater reliance upon our own resources and our own trade, and consequently less need to rely upon dollar trade which is so difficult to secure?
§ The Prime MinisterIt seems to me inconceivable that these discussions should take place without some consideration being borne in mind about the dollar exchange.
§ Mr. BeswickWould the Prime Minister arrange for a debate in this House of the matters to be discussed at this conference; and would he not find that public opinion, both here and in the Commonwealth, is far in advance of officials' views and those of the official Governments?
§ The Prime MinisterQuestions about Business should be addressed to my right hon. Friend.