HC Deb 24 January 1957 vol 563 c381
30. Mr. Bottomley

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement concerning the work of the Commonwealth Economic Committee.

Mr. Alport

The Committee consists of representatives of Commonwealth Governments and the Colonies. Its functions are to provide regular economic and statistical services on subjects affecting Commonwealth production, trade and consumption, and to examine specific economic questions referred to them.

The right hon. Gentleman may find it useful to consult the Committee's Annual Report for 1955–56, a copy of which I am sending to him, together with pages 77–78 of the Commonwealth Relations Office List, 1956, and the Committee's other publications, all of which are in the Library of the House.

Mr. Bottomley

May I thank the hon. Gentleman for that answer and congratulate him on securing a Government post which is near to his heart? Having in mind that this report and the deliberations ended in March, 1956, was it not possible to give us a complete report before today?

Mr. Alport

I will look into the matter.