Commonwealth Economic Conference

HC Deb 25 March 1958 vol 585 c210

21. Mr. H. Fraser

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now move to advance the date of the Commonwealth Economic Conference.

Mr. Amory

I do not think my hon. Friend's suggestion would be feasible.

Mr. Fraser

Will not my right hon. Friend agree that, with the continuing recession in the Unied States, the fall in various commodity prices, and the present tendency to have schemes for keeping down production even further, it is necessary that we should do something as soon as possible about those parts of the world which buy 50 per cent. of our goods? Would not it be advisable for the date of this conference to be advanced from September when we are likely to, or possibly may, enter the time when sterling itself comes under pressure?

Mr. Amory

There is an immense amount of preparatory work to be done, and it is being done. I think that the date chosen, as suggested by the Canadian Government and agreed to by other Commonwealth Governments, is really timely.