HL Deb 17 June 1952 vol 177 cc222-4

4.2 p.m.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, I beg leave to make a statement which is being made in another place by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. It is as follows:

"Mr. R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia, concluded his visit to London to-day, when he attended a full meeting of the United Kingdom Cabinet. During the past three weeks he has had opportunities to meet a number of Ministers of the United Kingdom Government, and to discuss with them matters which are of common concern to the United Kingdom and Australia. These talks have covered a wide range of topics—including the whole field of international relations, with special reference to the position in the Far East and South East Asia, defence policy and the progress of our joint military Manning. Important conclusions were reached on the question of defence equipment required by Australia and the sources from which it should be obtained. We discussed the amount oil Australia's productive capacity which should be devoted respectively to food and to armament production, so as to reconcile the demands in the interests of both countries. On all matters the sympathy and understanding between Her Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom and in Australia have been notably advanced by the exchange of views which has taken place.

"Mr. Menzies' visit has afforded an opportunity to review the impact of the Australian import restrictions on United Kingdom trade generally and on the particular industries which are most seriously affected. Mr. Menzies has been anxious to examine possible ways of alleviating our problems subject to the overriding necessity for the Commonwealth Government to safeguard the Australian reserves. Full discussions took place between Mr. Menzies and Her Majesty's Ministers concerned, and also between him and the representatives of a wide range of United Kingdom industries affected by the import cuts. The Australian Government have already declared their intention to give special consideration to goods manufactured or in process of manufacture at March 8, which were made to special specification for Australia and were not saleable elsewhere without severe loss. Other cases of real hardship would also receive special attention. Mr. Menzies said that the Australian Government is also prepared to take measures to ensure that Australian importers would normally use their quotas in category "B" to honour their outstanding commitments before applying them to new orders. Mr. Menzies' view was that having regard to Australia's balance of payments position, she would not be able to go beyond these measures at the present time, but he hoped that the difficulties of the industries affected by the Australian import cuts would be eased by the arrangements I have described."

VISCOUNT HALL

My Lords, in the absence of my noble and learned friend the Leader of the Opposition, I should like on his behalf and on behalf of my colleagues on this side of the House to express our gratitude to the noble Marquess for giving us the information contained in this statement. It is pleasing to know that these difficult matters which have been discussed have been approached from both sides with understanding and sympathy. It is what we all expect from Mr. Menzies, who is always a very welcome visitor to this country. We can be assured that he will create no difficulties in the relationship between our great countries.

VISCOUNT SAMUEL

My Lords, the House will be glad to know from the statement which has just been made by the noble Marquess that the visit of the Prime Minister of Australia to this country has served a useful purpose in forwarding the matters of common interest which he came here to discuss. But it has done more than that. It has afforded an opportunity for all Parties and all sections in this country to give Mr. Menzies a welcome and to pay him honour. This was given not only as a personal tribute to him, and especially to the eloquence, the humour and the friendliness of his speeches, which make them a pleasure to listen to, but also as an expression of the respect and affection in which the great and flourishing Dominion he represents is held throughout the Mother Country.