§ 34. Mr. Manderasked the Minister without Portfolio the nature of the organisation he is setting up to consider the question of Allied peace aims; and when a statement on the subject may be expected?
§ The Minister without Portfolio (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)I regret that. I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.
§ Mr. ManderIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a very widespread interest in this subject of peace aims and that the matter cannot be left in its present unsatisfactory position? Can he hold out any hope of a statement being made in the near future?
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe Prime Minister, the last time this Question was raised, said that when a good opportunity arose it would be taken.
§ Mr. ManderHas not the Minister an organisation of his own dealing with the matter in his new office?
§ Sir A. SouthbyIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a more widespread interest in winning the war first?
§ Mr. ManderThis is the best way Winning it.
§ Mr. SilvermanHas my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the evidence given by Mr. Kennedy, late Ambassador of the United States to this country, to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the American Senate, in which he said that he had no idea what this country's peace aims were? He was Ambassador here for a long time, and in view of that statement, is it not desirable that any ambiguity there may be on the subject should be cleared up at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI cannot be responsible for statements made by ex-Ambassadors. Some of these statements certainly have not the approval of numbers of Members of this House.
§ Mr. StokesDoes not my right hon. Friend recollect the statements made in this House and elsewhere by the Lord Privy Seal that a statement on peace aims would be made shortly?
§ Mr. McGovernDo the Government really know what the war is about?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs it the policy of the Government to make such a statement?