§ 41. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Prime Minister whether he will place the question of immigration into the United Kingdom from the Commonwealth on the agenda for the forthcoming Prime Ministers' Conference.
§ 44. Mr. N. Pannellasked the Prime Minister whether the Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation will be invited to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in order to participate in the discussions on immigration.
§ The Prime MinisterThe scope of our discussions, which are private, is a matter for agreement between all Prime Ministers.
As I said on 31st January in an Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan), since the West Indies Federation is not yet independent, it would not be appropriate to invite the Prime Minister of the Federation to the Conference.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs not the Prime Minister aware that there are well-inspired reports that the subject of Commonwealth immigration is to be discussed at the Prime Ministers' Conference and that there is, indeed, a great deal to be said for this because a common Commonwealth approach to the problems, particularly with the assistance of Canada and Australia, would be a great help? If the subject is to come up, will he ensure that the Prime Minister of the West Indies is invited to the conference?
§ The Prime MinisterI appreciate that point, but I think that it would be a breach of our system which might lead to considerable difficulties.
§ Mr. N. PannellWill my right hon. Friend agree that, in view of the great increase in immigration from the Commonwealth, this would be a suitable matter for discussion at the conference and that any such discussion would be ineffective without the presence of the Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation, since most of the immigrants come from that area? Will he consult the Prime Ministers of the independent Commonwealth countries with a view to the matter being discussed and an invitation being extended to the Federal Prime Minister 'to participate in such discussions?
§ The Prime MinisterI will, of course, bear that in mind, but I repeat that, in view of some of the questions we have to discuss at the conference, regarding membership and so on, I think it would be very dangerous to make this breach in our tradition to invite the Prime Minister of a country which is not independent.
§ Mr. MarquandHas the Prime Minister's attention been drawn to the statement by the Premier of Trinidad and also, I believe, the resolution of the 623 Trinidad and Tobago Legislative Council to the effect that, in their view, the Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation should be here on this occasion? Is there any real difference in status between the Prime Ministers of the West Indies Federation and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland?
§ The Prime MinisterThe one, as we have often explained, is the result of a very long-standing agreement by which originally, going right back, the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia attended. That has been accepted. I quite see the hon. Gentleman's point, but if is not for me to make these decisions. They are corporate decisions of the Prime Ministers. I will bear in mind what he says.