§ 1. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will consider the advisability of holding a Commonwealth economic conference as early as possible, so that proposals could be made at the conference for Commonwealth economic co-operation, on expansion of output, and Commonwealth reciprocal trading.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Bernard Braine)Meetings of Finance Ministers and of economic officials of Commonwealth countries are held at regular and frequent intervals. These meetings discuss economic questions of interest to members of the Commonwealth of the kind referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithI cast no reflections upon the Joint Under-Secretary, but may I ask whether he is aware that that is a very disappointing reply? Is he aware that the Commonwealth is now at a historic stage in its development? Will he consult his right hon. Friend and the Prime Minister so that this matter can be treated with great urgency and the same resolution, vigour and determination as are now being put into our negotiations for entry into the Common Market?
§ Mr. BraineI entirely agree with the latter part of what the hon. Gentleman has said. In these matters the Commonwealth is always evolving. I am sure the hon. Gentleman will recall that the machinery for Commonwealth economic consultation was revised at the 1486 Montreal Conference in 1958, when it was decided that the existing arrangements should be co-ordinated and strengthened under the Commonwealth Economic Consultative Council, Which meets both at Ministerial and official level.