§ 8. Mr. Leatherasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress is being made by the inquiry into Commonwealth resources decided upon by the last Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference.
§ Mr. AlportI am not clear whether my hon. Friend is referring to a report by the Committee on Commonwealth Raw Materials, or to the decision at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meeting that the Committee should be invited to examine and suggest to Governments what expansion of its scope and functions might usefully be undertaken for the particular purpose of drawing attention to the economic resources of the Commonwealth. The first volume of the Raw Materials Report, which comprises a general survey and analysis of Commonwealth Raw Materials, has been completed, and agreement to its publication has now been received from all Commonwealth Governments. I understand that the Committee has made good progress with examining the question of its scope and functions, but has not yet reported to Governments.
§ Mr. LeatherWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, which is a good deal more encouraging than I expected, may I ask him to ensure that the Report on Commonwealth Raw Materials is made available to us and to represent to his right hon. Friend the Leader of the House that we should have a chance to debate it in the House?
§ Mr. AlportIn due course, the Report will be published, now that it has been agreed by all the Governments concerned. It is a very weighty document in more senses than one, and I am sure that when my hon. Friend sees it he will feel that the Committee has done a fine job of work in covering all the ground which it has covered in the Report.