HC Deb 18 May 1965 vol 712 cc1182-4
3. Mr. Murray

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about his recent visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Bottomley

I was invited by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand to visit their countries, and I gladly accepted. I warmly appreciated the very generous hospitality which was extended to me. During my visit to Australia I went to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. My programme, which was arranged by the Commonwealth and State Governments, enabled me to meet Cabinet Ministers and Opposition leaders in Canberra, State Ministers in Victoria and New South Wales, and Australian business and financial and Trade Union leaders. My visit to New Zealand was unfortunately considerably shortened because of pressure of House of Commons business. I was, however, able to meet the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers in Wellington. I was also able to visit Malaysia, where I had talks with the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers and with the Premier and Ministers of the State Government in Singapore.

12. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why he cut short his recent official visit to Australia; and what was the additional cost to public funds caused by this change of plan.

Mr. Bottomley

I was able to carry out my full programme in Australia as planned. I was, unfortunately, forced to cut short my visit to New Zealand, but I was very glad that nevetheless I was able to meet and have talks with the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers. The extra cost involved in the change of my original plans was £38 10s.

Mr. King

Having regard to the immense value of an official visit by the Secretary of State to a great Dominion, he must have been informed before he started of what Government plans were. Did he not know that the steel debate was to take place? Did not the Leader of the House tell him? Are not Ministers in communication one with another?

Mr. Bottomley

Yes, I did. As is customary when Her Majesty's Ministers go on visits to Commonwealth countries, a pair was arranged. It was broken by the Opposition.

Hon. Members

Shame.

Mr. Sandys

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his decision to cut short his visit to New Zealand created a very bad impression? Does not this show the stupidity of trying to force through a totally unwanted Measure with an inadequate mandate and an inadequate majority?

Mr. Bottomley

I am surprised at the right hon. Gentleman suggesting that it was because the House was debating a White Paper on steel that the Commonwealth was made to suffer, whereas it was because the Opposition were not prepared to give a pair.

Mr. Heffer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those of us on the Strasbourg Delegation were also forced to return, although we, too, had pairs? This was the responsibility of the Tory Opposition. This also caused a very bad impression amongst the nations in Europe.

Mr. Fisher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the inconvenience which he suffered and the small extra expense were matched by the inconvenience and the much larger expense I suffered at being recalled from Nairobi and forfeiting a trip to Mauritius? Could he not make representations to the Patronage Secretary to allow Ministers on overseas trips to remain paired with hon. Members on this side who are also on visits overseas?

Mr. Bottomley

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will join me in making representations to ensure that when pairs are made to facilitate the movement of Ministers they are honoured.