§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) when the proposed Colonial Office Conference is expected to take place; whether representation of the Colonies, Protectorates, and Mandated Territories at that Conference is to be limited to Governors, Colonial Secretaries, or other officials; and whether any of the overseas representatives at that Conference will be invited to assist the Secretary of State as the chief spokesmen for the Colonial Empire at the subsequent Imperial Conference in September next;
(2) whether any unofficial persons, either from overseas or resident in Great Britain, will be associated with the Secretary of State for the Colonies in the representation of the interests of the Colonies, Protectorates, and Mandated Territories at the forthcoming Imperial Conference?
§ Dr. SHIELSIt is proposed that the Colonial Office Conference should meet 2277W on 23rd June next and last for about three weeks. Representation of the Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories will be confined to Governors or other senior officials. The Colonial Office Conference will consider the question of unofficial representation at future Colonial Office Conferences. The question whether the arrangement for the representation of the interests of the Colonies and Protectorates at the Imperial Conference shall follow those made on the last occasion, with which the right hon. Gentleman is familiar, will be considered in due course.