HC Deb 11 June 1936 vol 313 cc401-3
Mr. ATTLEE

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether, in the speech delivered yesterday by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the reference to the League of Nations and to the question of sanctions represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

The PRIME MINISTER

My right hon. Friend informs me that the suggestions put forward by him last night were definitely stated by him to be provisional reflections on the experience gained by the Italo-Abyssinian dispute which had occurred to him personally.

Mr. ATTLEE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a matter of grave embarrassment to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if a very responsible Minister thinks aloud and allows his thoughts to be made public?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not think so. This is the first question that I have had asked about any speech made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was addressing a very exclusive and politically educated audience, and it seems to me, from a hasty perusal I have made of the rather truncated report, that he posed a number of questions which, I think, were worthy of consideration.

Mr. ATTLEE

Was it not much more than posing questions and that he stated very clearly what was his opinion? I put it to the right hon. Gentleman that it is the traditional and constitutional practice that on matters of this kind Ministers should not make statements which are supposed only to give their private opinions because they speak the collective voice of the Cabinet and on matters of foreign affairs generally Ministers should not commit these indiscretions.

Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us the assurance that this incursion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer into the domain of the Secretary of State for Foriegn Affairs was unauthorised, and that the policy of the Government remains fidelity to our obligations under the Covenant of the League of Nations, a policy which the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer characterised last night as midsummer madness?

The PRIME MINISTER

I make no complaint myself of what my right hon. Friend has said.

Mr. CHURCHILL

Having regard to the many countries which endeavour to incline their foreign policy in accordance with that of Great Britain, would not the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister consider the urgency of a Government statement stating quite clearly where His Majesty's Government stand collectively, and will he give us some information as to when that statement will be made?

The PRIME MINISTER

My right hon. Friend and the whole House know how important it is that such a policy should be framed as soon as possible. We are at present considering the very difficult questions that have been raised by the situation on the Continent, and there will, of course, be opportunity in due course for another debate on foreign affairs.

Mr. ATTLEE

This is not a light matter. Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the specific question whether the definite opinion put out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer represents the present policy of His Majesty's Government?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not think I can go further than in the answer I have given. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has explained to me quite frankly that they were provisional reflections on the experience gained in the Italo-Abyssinian dispute.

Mr. ATTLEE

Does that reply mean that this does not represent the considered views of His Majesty's Government? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an answer, aye or no, to that question?

HON. MEMBERS

Answer.

The PRIME MINISTER

No conclusions on this matter have yet been reached.

Mr. MAXTON

Is it the view of the Prime Minister that there are in this country exclusive bodies who are more entitled than the House of Commons to have the provisional reflections of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

The PRIME MINISTER

I used the term "exclusive" in the sense in which I have often seen it used in the Press.

Mr. MICHAEL BEAUMONT

Is there any hope that those admirable reflections may be adopted by the rest of the Government soon?