HC Deb 03 April 1958 vol 585 cc1357-8
10. Mr. G. R. Howard

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will include in the agenda for the Commonwealth Trade Conference next autumn the proposed setting up of a Commonwealth Development Bank.

Mr. Alport

Commonwealth officials meeting in London in February made provisional recommendations at to what the agenda might cover. These recommendations are now under consideration by Commonwealth Governments, and I am not able to say what items the agenda will eventually contain.

Mr. Howard

Can my hon. Friend say whether or not he thinks that this is a good idea? I do not ask him to say whether it is possible at this stage to say that it shall be included in the agenda, but, in view of recent events in Canada, is this not a very important matter?

Mr. Alport

I think that all new thinking upon Commonwealth economic relations is of great value at the present time. This is one subject which has been discussed a number of times recently both in the House and in public, and my hon. Friend can be assured that the Government are fully conscious of the interest of the House in a proposition of this sort.

Mr. P. Williams

Does my hon. Friend realise that new thinking, although valuable, is of no value at all unless it makes an impact upon the Government, and that unless a more forthcoming attitude is shown on the question of further finance for Commonwealth development, having new thinking will be of no value at all?

Mr. Alport

The Government are quite capable of undertaking new thinking themselves. I can assure my hon. Friend that we are well aware of the very sincere views held on these particular matters in all parts of the House.