§ 12. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will consult Commonwealth Governments in respect of joint Commonwealth appeal or action to be taken in respect of the international situation resulting from the recent failure to hold a Summit Conference.
§ Mr. AlportWe have, of course, kept in close touch with Commonwealth Governments over the recent events in Paris and will continue to do so as the international situation develops. I do not feel that action of the kind the hon. Member contemplates would be appropriate at the present time.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the hon. Gentleman look at this matter again, and also bring the idea to the attention of the Prime Minister, particularly in view of 663 the statement made by Sir Claude Corea only a short time ago? Would it not be highly desirable if the Commonwealth itself and the Union of South Africa would take this action, and would it not have a very beneficial effect at the present time?
§ Mr. AlportI think that any collective action would be a matter for agreement amongst the Commonwealth Governments concerned, but the hon. Gentleman will recollect a statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister last Friday, and I think that he will see in it that any action which would be conducive to an improvement in the situation is one which would not be excluded by my right hon. Friend.