§ 3.52 p.m.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, with the permission of the House I should like to interrupt the Business to make a short statement. The Prime Minister has been in communication with the Prime Ministers of the other Commonwealth countries, and it has now been arranged to hold a meeting in London beginning on June 26 next. I feel sure the House will join with me in welcoming this event, to which we all attach the highest importance.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am sure the whole House will join in that wish which has just been expressed by the noble Earl the Leader of the House. I hope the Conference will be very successful. As we have been talking to-day about agriculture, may I express the hope that perhaps the noble Earl, Lord Home, will be able to say a word at that Conference for British agriculture.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMay I ask the noble Earl whether the Conference will be attended by all the Commonwealth Prime Ministers in person and whether he has any idea how long the Conference will last?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, these conferences usually last about eight or nine days, and I think that this one will be of that kind of duration. So far as I know, all the Prime Ministers will be present, with the possible exception of Mr. Strijdom, who may be represented by Mr. Louw, the Foreign Minister.