HC Deb 21 December 1954 vol 535 cc2592-3
49. Mr. Dugdale

asked the Prime Minister how far consideration as to the personal qualities of Prime Ministers of Commonwealth countries, other than Dominions, influences the decision as to whether or not they should be invited to Commonwealth Conferences.

The Prime Minister

As I informed the right hon. Member on 14th December, there are long-established reasons for the invitation to the Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland to join the Prime Ministers' meeting in January.

Mr. Dugdale

Is the Prime Minister not aware that he also informed me that the personal qualities and position of Sir Godfrey Huggins had to be considered? Does that mean that his personal qualities and position have to be considered, while the personal qualities and position of other Prime Ministers have not to be considered? Does it mean that, for some reason or other, Sir Godfrey Huggins is in a special position which is not accorded to the Prime Ministers of Malta, the Gold Coast, and Nigeria, and that they have not special consideration?

The Prime Minister

The fact that Sir Godfrey Huggins has been here so many times running, and is now at the head of an even larger State, constitutes an additional reason, but it is not on that that I base the claim that he should come. The claim is based on rightful representation.

Mr. Dugdale

Surely the Prime Minister would agree that even he has not a prescriptive right to remain Prime Minister always, however great his personal qualities.

The Prime Minister

I have never made such a claim.