§ LORD MORRIS had given Notice to ask the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been called to the Imperial fast ship scheme, consisting of seven new large 22-knot ships of a type which does not now exist, for a new service between Britain and Australia, via India and Ceylon, for the carriage of mails, passengers, refrigerated and general cargo; whether in view of the important advantages which are claimed that the new service could offer for inter-Imperial trade not only between Britain and Australia but between Britain and India, and between Australia and India, careful attention will be given (or has been 639 given) to the project by the Imperial Government; whether he has seen the public announcement by the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Stanley Bruce, that "the success of the new scheme would depend upon the co-operation of the Imperial and other Dominion and Colonial Governments concerned," he can assure the House of the Imperial Governments co-operation.
§ LORD STANMOREMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Morris I beg to ask the Question which stands on the Paper in his name.
VISCOUNT GAGEMy Lords, my noble friend the Secretary of State for India has asked me to apologise for his absence this afternoon which is caused by an important Cabinet Committee which he had to attend. He asked me to explain that he is not in a position to add anything to the statement made two days ago by the Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs in another place in reply to a rather similar question. That 640 reply was to the effect that this question is under consideration by a Committee of the Imperial Conference and therefore His Majesty's Government, while following the course of the discussion with the closest attention, is not in a position to make any statement at present.