§ 4.14 p.m.
§ LORD DAVIESMy Lords, I beg to ask the third question standing on the Paper in my name.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether, following the precedent of the last war, it is proposed to invite Ministers of the Dominions to participate more directly in the conduct of the war and to create a Supreme War Council which would include representatives of the British Commonwealth and India.]
§ VISCOUNT CALDECOTEMy Lords, the desirability of arranging personal discussions with Dominion Ministers whenever possible as a further method of facilitating the closest possible co-operation between the war efforts of the members of the British Commonwealth is constantly borne in mind by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. As the noble Lord is aware, Ministers from the Dominions visited London last autumn and useful discussions were then held on many subjects connected with the war. Other visits by individual Dominion Ministers have since taken place. The United Kingdom Government feel that the present moment is not opportune for inviting Dominion Ministers to visit London for an Imperial War Conference or other discussions, but they will certainly welcome such discussion if occasion offers.