§ 52. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that various foreign nations are, with success, taking steps to capture British trade with British Colonies and independent realms notably in West Africa, that such success weakens the links between Britain and the Commonwealth with loss to all the territories concerned; and if he will appoint a Minister with duties concentrated on 970 maintaining, developing and expanding trade between all these territories and Britain.
§ The Prime MinisterI am certainly aware that we have to contend with keen competition today in West African—as in most other—markets. As the House already knows, my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Board of Trade, is at present spending a fortnight in Nigeria in order to see what steps can be taken to expand our trade there.
As regards the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) on 27th February last.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the Prime Minister realise that the solidarity of the Commonwealth demands the appointment of a Minister solely devoted to this work, and that in these days of rapid intercommunication the old-fashioned methods of colonialism are not sufficient?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. It is very valuable that Ministers should make these visits and that is why the Minister of State to the Board of Trade is doing so; but I am not satisfied that every problem is best dealt with as it arises by appointing another Minister to work parallel and perhaps in difficulty with the organisations already existing.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhile I agree with what my right hon. Friend has just said, may I ask whether he agrees that one of the considerations to be borne in mind is the fact that there are no preferential trading arrangements between this country on the one hand and Ghana and Nigeria on the other?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is very relevant and makes the work of the Commonwealth Conference which we are to have in the autumn all the more important.