§ 42 and 43. Mr. Fisherasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) why he recently advocated an economic merger of the Commonwealth, the United States of America and Western Europe;
(2) what response he has received to his suggestion made in New York for an economic merger of the British Commonwealth, the United States of America and Western Europe, with the United States of America as the senior partner in such a merger.
§ 44. Mr. P. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations took place between Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Governments before he proposed an economic merger, including the Commonwealth, with the United States of America and Western Europe.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Sir David Eccles)In my speech I suggested something like an economic merger, because the free world is faced with the problem of how best to organise its economic power to meet the challenge of the centralised system of the Communists. The speech received a considerable amount of thoughtful and favourable comment. No consultations with Commonwealth Governments were called for, since I was putting forward a suggestion for dealing with a matter of world-wide concern.
§ Mr. FisherCan my right hon. Friend enlarge a little upon his proposal and perhaps give the House some idea of its constitution? As the Commonwealth is by far the largest in area and population and is the largest importer of the three potential partners, would it not have been more appropriate to have mentioned the Commonwealth as the senior partner instead of just as a member?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe best thing I can do is to send my hon. Friend a copy of the speech.
§ Mr. WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea of what discussions are now taking place as a consequence of the suggestions he made?
§ Sir D. EcclesNo, Sir. A certain amount of newspaper and magazine comment is going on.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the right hon. Gentleman understand that I am speaking for myself and not committing anybody on this or any other side of the House in saying that this is the most fruitful suggestion which has come from the Government since 1951?
§ Mr. S. SilvermanIn spite of what my right hon. Friend the Member for Easing-ton (Mr. Shinwell) has just said, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the cotton trade and Lancashire generally have no desire whatever to be made the victims of an American take-over bid?
§ Mr. JayCan the President of the Board of Trade say whether this suggestion came from the Government, or was it another of his personal indiscretions?
§ Sir D. EcclesThis is not a matter of policy. On the contrary, I was asked what I would be prepared to say we should do to meet the 1,000 million Communists who are now having an economic offensive, and this was the suggestion which I thought well worth putting forward.
§ Mr. JayIs the President of the Board of Trade saying that a merger of the Commonwealth, the United States and Europe is not a matter of policy?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat seems to be a matter of opinion on the meaning of words.