asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent Colonial legislative councils and Colonial chambers of commerce were consulted before the conclusion of the recent trade agreement between the Commonwealth and the Allied authorities in Japan.

Colonial Governors were consulted before the conclusion, last November, of the arrangement relating to trade with Japan in the year ending June, 1949. I am unable to say to what extent legislative councils and chambers of commerce in the Colonies were consulted.

In view of the very far-reaching effect of this agreement, will the right hon. Gentleman take care to see that there is full consultation with legislative councils and chambers of commerce?

I will certainly take that into account.