HC Deb 04 March 1935 vol 298 cc1584-6
Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask the Prime Minister whether arrangements are to be made this year for a debate on defence before the separate Estimates for the Defence Services are discussed in the House?

The PRIME MINISTER

The Government propose to provide an opportunity for a debate on defence as a whole after the Estimates are available to hon. Members and before they are debated separately. The proposed debate on defence will take place on Monday next, 11th March, on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House, and in this connection a White Paper has been made available to Members.

Mr. LANSBURY

I am not sure whether it is correct to say that the procedure adopted by the Government in this matter is unusual, but the document which was issued at mid-day to-day is, we think, a very extraordinary document. I should like to ask the right lion. Gentleman why on page 4 in paragraph 5 of the document he describes the Government as "the National Government," and also why he does so in the last paragraph on page 10? I can understand" His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom," or "the British Government," but I am not aware that it has been customary in official documents to describe the government of the day as "the Labour Government," "the Tory Government "or "the Liberal Government." I also wish to say to the Prime Minister that when we have had time to consider this document we may desire to put down a Motion for consideration and discussion on Monday rather than debate the White Paper on the Motion for the Adjournment. We have only had a short time to look at it in a hasty manner, but everyone will agree that it is a most extraordinary and alarming statement on the part of the Government.

The PRIME MINISTER

The idea of having a debate on the Motion for Adjournment was that it might be on the widest possible grounds. The idea of the Government was that an opportunity should be given to the House to discuss without any limitation the question of the Estimates. That is why the White Paper has been specially issued.

Mr. LANSBURY

We deny altogether that this Government is any more a National Government than any other Government, and I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is usual in official documents to describe His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom as "the National Government" or "the Tory Government" or any other Government.

The PRIME MINISTER

It is not usual, and I take full note of the point that the right hon. Gentleman has made.

Mr. LANSBURY

There is only one other point. On the question as to whether we put down a Motion or not, we have no desire that the debate should be restricted, and, as the Government have issued a statement of their policy, it seems to me that it may be wiser that we should discuss it as a question of whether we approve or disapprove of it.

The PRIME MINISTER

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will get in touch through the usual channels.

Sir H. SAMUEL

I hope the Prime Minister will take note of the protest of the Leader of the Opposition in regard to the use of the term in an official document, so that such use will not recur in any future document.

The PRIME MINISTER

If it were not for that, I should take no notice of it at all.

Mr. MORGAN JONES

May I ask who is responsible for this propaganda, the Prime Minister or the Postmaster-General?