§ Mr. Hore-BelishaOn Business, may I ask my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister whether he is going to make a statement in Parliament of the changes which have been announced this morning, and whether now, or at some date which may suit him better?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I do not think that I have any statement to make, certainly not at the present time, on the subject.
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaWould it not be showing a proper regard for Parliament to make a statement about a matter of this kind, which involves great constitutional changes? Does my right hon. Friend say that he declines to make such a statement or that it is inconvenient for him to make one now?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that precedents really would favour the view which the right hon. Gentleman is putting forward that all changes of this kind should be preceded by a statement in Parliament or announced in Parliament. That is certainly not the precedent according to my recollection and experience. I do not see any advantage to adding to the information already given at the present time, and I cannot foresee any time in the immediate future when it would be necessary for me to make a statement to the House on this subject.
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaMy right hon. Friend has referred to precedents. Is there any precedent for appointing a Minister to occupy a station abroad, because it is the constitutional position that all Ministers are accountable directly to Parliament? [HON. MEMBERS: "What about Halifax?"] Lord Halifax is an Ambassador, but this is the Minister of State, and all 1362 Ministers are constitutionally responsible to Parliament. As this is a complete innovation, would it not be courteous to Parliament to give some further elucidation?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that the House will not accuse me of wanting in respect or deference in every effort to serve them, but if the right hon. Gentleman wishes to make criticism of what is widely accepted as a highly useful and important step in the appointment of a member of the War Cabinet. to be resident at the seat of the Middle Eastern war, I daresay some Parliamentary opportunity will occur. I have no doubt that some answer will be made to him although whether the answer will satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity I cannot tell.
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI do not know why my right hon. Friend should suggest that any Question in Parliament is in the nature of criticism. All I desire is elucidation, as is the right of every Member of Parliament, and I beg to give notice that I shall ask some Questions in order to elucidate the meaning of these changes.