§ Q2. Mr. Turtonasked the Prime Minister whether he will invite the Commonwealth Prime Ministers to meet to discuss a concerted plan for the development of the Commonwealth.
§ The Prime MinisterA Ministerial meeting of the Commonwealth Economic Consultative Council last September discussed current problems affecting the economic development of the Commonwealth and we have been and shall continue in close touch with other Commonwealth Governments. I do not think that a meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers on this subject alone is the right way to proceed.
§ Mr. TurtonIf my right hon. Friend will not consider having a full Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meeting at an early opportunity, will he, particularly in view of the fact that both Sir Robert Menzies and Mr. Holyoake had their mandates confirmed by the electorate last weekend, anticipating his own experience next year, invite those two Prime Ministers to informal meetings to discuss the subjects which would be later discussed at a Commonwealth Prime Ministers' conference?
§ The Prime MinisterAll these considerations which my right hon. Friend raises are closely relevant, but, in answer to Questions last Tuesday, I did say that, if I thought it was necessary and desirable to hold a Commonwealth Prime Ministers' conference, I should get in touch with the other Prime Ministers.
Mr. H. WilsonConsidering that Sir Robert Menzies said last week that he felt that in the Common Market negotiations Britain had turned her back on the Commonwealth, and since this is still a feeling in more than one part of the House, will the Prime Minister reconsider the answer which he gave to me on Tuesday? Is he aware that, on 11th February, after the breakdown of the Brussels negotiations, his predecessor promised that we would have a major drive to develop Commonwealth trade in place of the Common Market? Should there not now be a Commonwealth Prime Ministers' conference to give effect to that pledge?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have said, the Commonwealth Economic Consultative Council met at Ministerial level quite recently and discussed Commonwealth trade and development. If there is a Prime Ministers'conference, of course, the economic development of the Commonwealth and its trade will be a prominent feature in the deliberations.
§ Mr. BottomleyIs it not a fact that at that conference it was decided that there should be a joint study of the need to trade in primary products and manufactured goods? Can the Prime Minister say what has happened as a result of that study and whether a report will be presented to Parliament?
§ The Prime MinisterThe study is at present taking place, and I should like 1360 to see the results of it before I commit myself. But let us have no doubt. On both sides of the House, I think, we wish to see Commonwealth development and increased Commonwealth trade and will take any steps necessary to achieve it.