HC Deb 25 January 1966 vol 723 cc13-4
19. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what steps are being taken to establish a Commonwealth Consultative Assembly.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

No steps are being taken at present.

Mr. Jeger

Does not my hon. Friend agree that it would be a very good thing for the state of mind of the Commonwealth, particularly at the present time, if there were opportunities, such as exist at Strasbourg, for delegates from the various Commonwealth Parliaments to meet to exchange views?

Mr. Hughes

There is a good deal in what my hon. Friend has said. As he knows, it was hoped that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association might extend its work in the direction desired by those in favour of the Consultative Assembly, but very little thought seems to have been given to this possibility at the recent C.P.A. Annual Conference in Wellington. However, I understand that it was arranged in Wellington that the C.P.A. should experiment with the committee system at its next Annual Conference in Ottawa, but there was no pressure for the establishment of a Consultative Assembly as such.

Mr. Braine

Does the hon. Gentleman recall that there was no enthusiasm for this idea among the Commonwealth Prime Ministers at their last Conference? Would he give an assurance that the Government will not take any initiative in this direction, except through the medium of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association?

Mr. Hughes

It was always intended that any initiative should be taken in full consultation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.