§ 5.58 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, in the absence of my noble friend Viscount Elibank, I beg to ask the question standing in his name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in connexion with the financial negotiations now proceeding with the United States of America, there is any intention on the part of His Majesty's Government to abolish or reduce Imperial Preference, and, if so, whether they have conferred with the Dominions and Colonies regarding this; and, further, whether they are aware of the strong feeling that would be aroused within the Commonwealth and Empire if such a step were taken, detrimental as it would be to the whole commercial solidity and well-being of the Commonwealth and Empire.]
§ LORD WALKDENMy Lords, I have been asked to reply to the noble Viscount's question on behalf of my noble friend the Leader of the House, who is unable now to be present. Side by side with the financial talks, discussions are proceeding in Washington on economic policy as a whole, with a view to determining how progress can best be made towards the realization of the objectives set out in Article VII of the Mutual Aid Agreement with the United States. I can assure the noble Viscount that, in these discussions, the mutual obligations which exist between members of the British Commonwealth in the commercial field will be fully borne in mind, and that no commitment which might affect those obligations will be entered into without full consultation with our partners in the Commonwealth.