HC Deb 25 April 1963 vol 676 cc387-8
3. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, what consideration has been given to the proposal for the creation of a Commonwealth Economic Development Council.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

Machinery already exists for the joint study and consultation by Commonwealth Governments on economic problems.

At the meeting of the Commonwealth Economic Council next month, Commonwealth trade Ministers will no doubt be reviewing the working of these arrangements and will be able to consider whether they require to be improved or supplemented.

Mr. Shinwell

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the existing arrangements are not altogether satisfactory and that something further requires to be done? May we have an assurance that the right hon. Gentleman will take the initiative in promoting this idea which, by the way, has the endorsement of the right hon. and learned Member for Wirral (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)?

Mr. Sandys

I am interested in my right hon. and learned Friend's proposal and I have already been discussing it with him. It is easier to come to the conclusion that stronger and more effective machinery is desirable than it is to work out exactly what that machinery should be.

Mr. Shinwell

As long as it is understood that the Government propose to take action along these lines, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman realises that, in view of the failure to associate with E.E.C., it is now more desirable that we should promote some more definite and specific economic understanding with the Commonwealth countries?

Mr. Sandys

Throughout the debates that we had on the Common Market negotiations, I and my right hon. Friends made it very clear that, quite irrespective of whether we succeeded in those negotiations, we attach the highest importance to the expansion and development of trade with the Commonwealth.

Mr. Turton

Will my right hon. Friend raise this specific proposal of my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Wirrall (Mr. Selywn Lloyd) with the Commonwealth trade Ministers at their conference this month?

Mr. Sandys

I am just discussing with my right hon. and learned Friend precisely what the proposal is.

Mr. Strachey

With respect to the right hon. and learned Member for Wirral (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd), would not the Secretary of State agree that it is even more important to decide on a policy for the development of Commonwealth trade rather than set up new machinery; and is it not really a policy that the Government lack?

Mr. Sandys

There will be an opportunity in the debate tomorrow to discuss all these matters.