Mr Stanley Baldwin: The latter part of the hon. Gentleman's statement is incorrect, because I have been in communication with the Canadian Government and what did happen was that what are called abbreviated reports—but what some people might call garbled reports—were sent across to Canada. They were used, by those whom one might expect to use them, as sticks with which to beat the Canadian Government. We...
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I do not question the authority of the hon. Member. I have read the speech in the first person and I have made myself acquainted with it. I am very grateful for the opportunity which the House gives me of reading all these speeches very carefully.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I regret that I am not yet in a position to add to the answer I gave last week on this subject.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I should have thought that the longer time which was given would show that greater appreciation was given to the recommendations.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: No, Sir.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: We shall get as far as we can with the Committee stage of the Supplementary Estimates on the Paper, we intend to take the Report of Ways and Means so that the Defence Loan Bill may be brought in, printed and circulated, and I do not think there will be any objection to the Committee stage of the Money Resolution of the Harbours, Piers and Ferries (Scotland) [Remission of Debt].
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I do not think so. We want to make as much progress as possible. The Supplementary Estimates must be passed, because the financial year comes to an end very shortly.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: The Commissioners for Special Areas are already devoting considerable attention to the possibility of securing new industrial undertakings for the Special Areas, including undertakings carrying out new processes, and my hon. Friend is no doubt aware that: the Commissioners have recently appointed industrial advisers to assist them in this matter.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I hope that it may be possible to introduce the Bill at the end of next week.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I think the introduction of the Bill and the supply of it go together. When the Bill is introduced it will be immediately available. But I will look into that point.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a question which he addressed to me on 10th November last, and to the supplementary question arising therefrom.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: As the hon. Member knows from the supplementary answer I gave him last November, I think the initiative should come from hon. Members opposite. There is no one more accessible than I am.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: While welcoming the opportunity afforded by the Imperial Conference for the discussion of defence and other common problems, I would remind the hon. Member that the defence expenditure of the Dominions is entirely a matter for His Majesty's Governments in the respective Dominions.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the deputation which I was asked to receive following a conference held at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 5th February. I regret that the pressure upon my time makes it impossible for me to receive this deputation, but I have informed the Town Clerk of Newcastle-on-Tyne that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade would be prepared to do so.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I should perhaps have said "necessarily accessible" In regard to a deputation like this, the Board of Trade is the proper Department to see. I would remind the hon. Lady that all Cabinet Ministers are co-equal but, fortunately, not co-eternal.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: No, that is not in accordance with the constitutional practice. If the Prime Minister were to undertake to see deputations which might come to him from all over the country on subjects which are exciting interest, he would be able to do nothing else. The Departmental Minister brings the subject to the Cabinet. That is what he is there for.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I think it is well known that many meetings are held in committee rooms upstairs while the House is in session, and, so far as I am aware, such meetings are not confined to Members of any one party in the House. My Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Air informs me that, in addressing a meeting upstairs recently he did not do more than amplify and explain information which has been given...
Mr Stanley Baldwin: Monday: Committee stage of Supplementary Estimates, beginning with Votes for the Coronation of His Majesty and for Colonial and Middle Eastern Services; Report stage of outstanding Supplementary Estimates and of the Defence Loans Money Resolution. Tuesday: The Adjournment of the House will be moved for a Debate on the report of the inquiry into the Gresford colliery disaster. Wednesday:...
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I am afraid I could not answer that question. We must see how we get on; there are a good many Estimates down.
