HC Deb 03 May 1939 vol 346 cc1865-6
45. Mr. Gordon Macdonald

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the specific election pledge against conscription given by his predecessor at the opening of the general election campaign at Wolverhampton, on 28th October, 1935; and whether, in view of that election pledge, he will consider postponing further consideration of legislation contrary to the said pledge until a further appeal has been made to the country?

The Prime Minister

My attention has been called to the speech referred to in the question, in the course of which my predecessor (replying to a remark made by an Opposition candidate) said there was no intention of introducing conscription. He also said, in the same speech, that there was not and would not be any question of huge armaments or materially increased forces. Since then the march of events has made it necessary to embark upon the largest and most costly pro- gramme of rearmament even undertaken by this country when not at war, and the same considerations have now compelled us to adopt the limited measure of compulsory military training provided for in the Bill at present before the House.

Mr. Macdonald

Does the Prime Minister not consider that to dishonour so specific a pledge on so vital an issue is a serious disservice to democratic methods?

Wing-Commander James

Is my right hon Friend aware that in the interview given in New York last Friday Lord Baldwin stated that circumstances must alter cases and that he would have acted as the Prime Minister has now acted?

The Prime Minister

I did not see that statement, but I am naturally very gratified to see that my action has the approval of Lord Baldwin.

Mr. Silverman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in connection with the pledge his predecessor gave with reference to there being no great rearmament, he later confessed in this House that when he gave that pledge he had no intention of keeping it? Is that true of the other pledge, too?

Mr. Mander

Is it not usually the case that all pledges given at Wolverhampton are honoured?