HC Deb 02 August 1962 vol 664 cc790-2
Q6. Mr. Turton

asked the Prime Minister what proposals he has now received for topics to be discussed at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in September.

Q11. Sir D. Walker-Smith

asked the Prime Minister whether he will use the occasion of his meeting with the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in September to initiate proposals for revised and increased economic co-operation within the Commonwealth.

The Prime Minister

Discussions at the Prime Ministers' Meeting are confidential and their detailed scope is for the Prime Ministers themselves to decide collectively. But it has already been agreed that the main purpose of the Meeting in September will be to discuss the Common Market, to which future economic co-operation within the Commonwealth would certainly be relevant. We shall also be making our customary review of world affairs.

Mr. Turton

Will my right horn. Friend propose to his fellow Prime Ministers that this opportunity be used to work out a positive policy for increasing Commonwealth trade and influence?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. I think that will be our desire whether or not the Brussels negotiations succeed.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

Will my right hon. Friend have in mind in this context and put before the other Commonwealth Prime Ministers for consideration the proposal put forward by my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Walker) and myself and contained in the booklet a copy of Which I have sent to my right hon. Friend?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. I am now engaged in reading the book.

Mr. Gaitskell

As this is the last opportunity, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he can assure us that any proposals to be put to the Prime Ministers' Conference will be published in a White Paper so that all of us can be aware of what is proposed?

The Prime Minister

I will consider that, but it depends to some extent on the progress of negotiations at Brussels during the next few days.

Mr. Gaitskell

Would not the Prime Minister agree that it is extremely important that the British public as well as the Commonwealth Prime Ministers should be aware of what may be proposed and that in any event, if experience is to be any guide, leakages are bound to occur and it would be much better to come quite out into the open and do what is suggested?

The Prime Minister

I hope that we shall be able to make at least what I call a progress report in the shape of a White Paper.