§ 45. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the war situation on the Eastern front?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)No, Sir. This must obviously be left to the Russian High Command, who are conducting their great battle. I should not presume to add anything to their communiqués at this juncture.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable disquiet throughout the country about the form, the substance and the speed of the assistance rendered to Russia, and in the circumstances will he provide facilities for an early Debate on the subject?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member should not suppose that he has a monopoly of anxieties in these times.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs my right hon. Friend aware that I know that this disquiet and anxiety are shared by others, but may I ask him the Question which I have already put—will he provide facilities for an early Debate?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not at the present time see any reason at all for an early Debate. I think it might be detrimental to have a discussion on the situation there. I am sure that it would be likely to do more harm than good.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes not my right hon. Friend think that the statement made by Lord Beaverbrook on his return from Moscow is worthy of discussion in this House, and will he not consider having a Debate, even if it is held in secret, so that the House could inform the right hon. Gentleman about the anxiety held in certain quarters? May I ask him his views about that?
§ The Prime MinisterOf course, in all these matters the House is master. The Government is only master of what it says. But I should deprecate a discussion on this subject at the present time, either in public or in secret.
§ Mr. A. BevanDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it unwise for Members of this House to have an opportunity of expressing their views on this matter, but that it is wise for members of the War Cabinet to give gratuitous reassurance to the enemy that they will not be attacked anywhere? Has his attention been called to the statement made by Lord Halifax, and is it undesirable for us to discuss this matter and reassure the country while irresponsible people with bad records reassure the enemy in this way?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sorry that the hon. Member should go out of his way to abuse our Ambassador in the United States—
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member spoke of him as an irresponsible person with a bad record.
§ The Prime MinisterWell, I call that abuse, and abuse of a man who has a high mission outside this country.
§ Mr. BevanWill the right hon. Gentleman give me and my colleagues an opportunity of establishing that charge in an early Debate?
§ The Prime MinisterI know of no reason—
§ Mr. Speaker rose—