§ 50. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish in HANSARD the names of the representatives of Her Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on the Paris Consultative Committee on trade with China.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ian Harvey)No, Sir. It is not customary to publish the names of the delegates to the Consultative Group and its Committees.
§ Mr. SwinglerWhy not? Why should we in this House not know who represents us on this very important Committee, which is concerned with a very wide subject relating to commerce between the West and China? We neither know what they do, nor who they are, nor why. Will the hon. Gentleman state, if these representatives ever consult together, how it is that the Canadian Prime Minister was able to state the other day that he knew nothing of the British Government's policy on trade with China?
§ Mr. HarveyAs I have already told the hon. Gentleman, this is a confidential organisation. It is better that it should remain so, and I cannot add to that.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerIs not this a matter on which Ministers themselves ought to be taking action in any international tribunal where we can get this embargo removed?
§ Mr. HarveyThat is another matter entirely.