§ 48. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Prime Minister whether he will give time for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the right hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme concerning the inadequate preparation for success in Flanders?
§ [That, in the opinion of this House, a Royal Commission should be appointed to inquire into the lack of adequate defensive preparations on that part of the sub-Maginot line covered by British 1002 troops; whether the position was known to His Majesty's Government; why it was not remedied during the eight months' grace; what were the causes of the delay in providing equipment; and what lessons are to be learned from past experience in framing a new and forward policy?]
§ Mr. AttleeNo, Sir. I can hold out no hope of time being found for the Motion standing in the name of my right hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIn view of the fact that in the last war far less serious disasters in Mesopotamia and the Dardanelles resulted in an inquiry by a Royal Commission such as this, will the right hon. Gentleman say why the very serious deficiencies in Flanders are not to be inquired into and we are not to profit by the mistakes that were made?
§ Mr. AttleeI am not dealing with the Motion of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman but with the question of time being found for it. I can hold out no hope of giving time for it. The right hon. and gallant Gentleman will bear in mind, I am sure, the actual conditions of the present day.
§ Colonel WedgwoodDoes not this refusal to give time for a discussion under our present rules deny the right of Members of this House to have an inquiry?