HC Deb 07 December 1938 vol 342 cc1167-9
47. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the President of the Board of Education at Bradford on 4th December last that armaments is the only effective way of dealing with Germany represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

48. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the President of the Board of Education at Bradford on 4th December, in which he stated that this country can do nothing to satisfy Germany, and that only armaments speak effectively, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

49. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the President of the Board of Education to the effect that there is nothing this country can do to satisfy Germany, that our friendly words and actions are mistaken for cowardice, and that only armaments can speak effectively, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

The Prime Minister

My Noble Friend made it clear that his speech did not purport to be a statement of policy, but a statement of the admitted fact that there was disappointment in many quarters at the response that the Government's policy of international appeasement, which he himself expressly endorsed, had evoked in Germany. As I have said on a previous occasion, there is no inconsistency between the policy that seeks a friendly settlement of any outstanding difficulties between our two countries and that of strengthening our Defences, which my Noble Friend was advancing in the latter part of his speech.

Mr. Strauss

Would it not be even more effective to set up a system of collective resistance to any aggression?

Mr. A. Henderson

Does it not appear that Germany is somewhat difficult to satisfy, having regard to the fact that within a few weeks of the Munich appeasement this country has been subjected to a spate of anti-British propaganda?

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether if these statements are true, they do not indicate that the pursuit of a policy of appeasement is futile; while, if they are not true, do they not make it extremely difficult for the right hon. Gentleman to pursue that policy?

Mr. Shinwell

Did not the President of the Board of Education say that we could do nothing to satisfy Germany, and does that statement represent the views of the Government?

The Prime Minister

That was not the statement of my noble Friend.

Mr. Mander

Is it not one of the most sensible speeches made by any Minister for a long time?

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