HC Deb 03 December 1963 vol 685 cc969-70
30. Mr. P. Williams

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to follow up his suggestion at the recent meeting of the Commonwealth Economic Consultative Council that a forward-looking economic survey of the Commonwealth should be conducted.

Mr. Maudling

I am considering a further approach to Commonwealth Governments.

Mr. Williams

Will my right hon. Friend understand that a great number of us welcome this initiative being carried into effect? This has been talked about for far too long. What we look for is action.

Mr. Maudling

It is a question of obtaining Commonwealth agreement. We made a proposal. Other Commonwealth Governments are considering it, and we are thinking of a further approach.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is not my hon. Friend's suggestion relevant to the proposal made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works for a Commonwealth economic secretariat? How are Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom getting on with that?

Mr. Maudling

I do not think that that is quite on all fours. On the whole, in the past Commonwealth countries have not been altogether keen on the idea of a Commonwealth secretariat.