§ 47. Major Petherickasked the Prime Minister whether the speech made by the Home Secretary on Government control and economic affairs to the Fabian Society recently represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary informs me that he made it clear at the beginning of the speech referred to that he was speaking as a Socialist to his fellow Socialists of the Fabian Society. There was no implication in the speech that he was speaking for the Government.
§ Earl WintertonWill the Prime Minister make it clear that members of the Coalition Government have a perfect right in this Government, as in previous Governments, to speak to their own political associations as my right hon. Friend does to the Conservative Association and as Liberals do to the Liberal Association?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that any particular advertisements of these facts are needed from me. In my view the less divergencies are emphasised the better.
48. Major Lloydasked the Prime Minister whether the views on State control of industry after the war expressed by the Secretary of State for the Home Department at a public meeting in the Caird Hall, Dundee, on 3rd October last, represent the policy of His Majesty's Government?
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 12th October last in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Willaims), to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs it the intention of the Government to ease the situation on the other side by making a declaration that it is the purpose to withdraw the controls immediately the war is finished?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. This would not be the moment at which I should be inclined to make any new declaration.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the Prime Minister say whether the views of the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary are having any influence on the Government?
§ The Prime MinisterWe derive the greatest advantage from the counsel of the Home Secretary on a great many subjects, and I hope we shall long continue to do so.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut apart from deriving counsel and guidance, has the right hon. Gentleman any intention of ever applying any of these suggestions?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend is dealing with the speech delivered in the Caird Hall, Dundee, and I should not Eke to try to unravel this tangled skein at this moment.
§ Mr. KirkwoodWill the Prime Minister support the Home Secretary in the statements that he makes?
§ The Prime MinisterI am afraid I am a life-long opponent of Socialism.