§ Mr. E. Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement on what steps are being taken to bring about more economic co-operation; what machinery is to be set up to develop the French-British economic co-operation; and are other countries to be invited to join in the arrangements as soon as possible?
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonI would refer the hon. Member to the joint statement issued by the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and of France on the 17th November in regard to the establishment of permanent Anglo-French Executive Committees for food, shipping, munitions and raw materials, oil, aircraft production and supply, and economic warfare, and of an Anglo-French Co-ordinating Committee. It was added that the agreements reached can if required be extended to other fields. This statement was amplified by an announcement in the Press on the 27th November.
I am happy to be able to add that the various committees referred to in those statements have now been set up and that the Anglo-French Co-ordinating Committee is holding its first meeting to-day.
As regards the last part of the question His Majesty's Government are always anxious to secure the greatest possible measure of economic co-operation with friendly countries, but I would add that naturally our relations with France must be specially close as allies actively engaged in a common cause.