§ 45. Mr. Silvermanasked the Prime Minister whether, now that the outside world is at last convinced of the capacity of this country to survive; he will reconsider the question of stating in general terms, at an early date, the peace aims of this country so that the leadership of Great Britain in Europe's striving for a new and better order shall be clearly established?
§ The Prime Minister:I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave to him on 15th October, to which at present I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. SilvermanDoes the Prime Minister recall that, in answering that Question, he said that the time to state war aims in general terms would come when the outside world was as convinced as we are of our capacity to survive, and that since that date the right hon. Gentleman has made a speech in the City of London the central point of which was that the outside world was so satisfied?
§ The Prime MinisterThat Answer was to a Supplementary Question. The Answer to the Question was as follows:
All this is being borne in mind, but the time has not come when any official declaration can be made of war aims beyond the very carefully considered general statements which have already been published.—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th October, 1940; col. 596, Vol. 365.]
§ Mr. SilvermanI regret doing so, but in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I propose to take an early opportunity of raising this matter on the Adjournment.
§ 50. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make, in view of the declaration by the Prime Minister of Poland, General Sikorski, that the British Commonwealth 1828 of Nations presents a perfect example of international co-operation with which, in some form, our European Allies might be permanently associated for the maintenance of a durable peace?
§ The Prime MinisterI assume that the hon. Member has in mind an interview given by General Sikorski and published in the Press on 31st August last. His Majesty's Government much appreciate General Sikorski's observations, but they do not all sustain the interpretation placed upon them by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. ManderWill the Prime Minister be good enough to give an assurance that these suggestions will be considered in connection with the Government's survey of the problems of war and peace aims?
§ The Prime MinisterAll relevant matters will be taken into consideration.
§ Mr. McGovernWill the Prime Minister give an assurance that this country will not adopt the totalitarian methods which were in operation in Poland before the war?