65. Dr. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in the formation of a Commonwealth Secretariat; and to what extent trade within the Commonwealth will come under its purview.
71W
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesThe Memorandum on the Commonwealth Secretariat agreed at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Meeting in June was presented to Parliament as Cmnd. 2713 in July.
In accordance with the Memorandum the Commonwealth Secretariat has now been established in Marlborough House. The Secretary-General arrived to take up his duties in London on 17th August. His two Deputies have been appointed and will shortly take up their posts. Three other senior and eight junior officers have taken up their duties and the process of appointing the remaining staff is continuing.
On the subject of Commonwealth trade I would refer the hon. Member to the paragraphs in the Memorandum on economic affairs which describe the roles the Secretariat will play in the economic field.