asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether by way of preparation for the intended International Conference on Trade and Employment proposed by the Government of the United States or for any conference which may take place on trade and employment between members of the British Commonwealth, he has caused any inquiries to be made from organised bodies in this country concerned with production, trade and employment; and particularly, if he has caused inquiries to be made of such bodies as to what concessions any of our industries (including the various branches of agriculture) interested in export think it important to seek from the Governments of other countries, and how much importance they attach to any particular preferences now accorded to this country by other members of the Commonwealth; and if he will indicate the general nature of any such inquiries made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Value of Trade Preferences.
The United States proposals for consideration by an International Conference on Trade and Employment are being examined in the various Departments and at the appropriate time it is intended that interested organised bodies will be afforded an opportunity of submitting their views.
Will the Minister say whether this is not a very urgent matter, and whether it is not a fact that various Governments throughout the world are urgently considering it with a view to seeing, in connection with the various preliminary conferences being arranged and leading up to the general world conference, that they will have every possible piece of information collected from those connected with labour, trade and industry? Would the Minister not consider that it is a matter of urgency that communications be addressed to all concerned with trade, labour and industry here, and, not only that, but that the widest possible publicity should be given to the type of inquiries being made, so that every aspect of the country's economic interests will be considered, in view of the important decisions that will be come to by the conference?
As the conference will not be held until next year, I cannot agree as to the urgency. I think it is desirable to postpone consultation with interested bodies until more information is available.
Is the Minister not aware that the preliminary conferences to be held in a very short time are likely to decide the major principles upon which the subsequent world conference will be asked to come to decisions? Does he not consider that it would be most desirable that we should know in what way we could endeavour to influence decisions being taken at the preliminary conference? How can we do that unless we have the situation thoroughly and urgently reviewed?
The situation is being thoroughly reviewed.
Is the Minister aware that labour circles, commercial circles and industrial circles, and those responsible for the management of things who are in a position to have first-hand knowledge of trade and industry here do not know on what lines the Department is working or thinking?
They will have an opportunity of presenting their views in due time.
Will the Minister send a preliminary communication to let them know that they will be asked for their views and indicating as far as possible the headings under which they will be asked for their views?
The work of preparing the headings is now proceeding.