HC Deb 27 July 1943 vol 391 cc1394-6
Mr. Arthur Greenwood

May I ask the Leader of the House whether, in view of the fact that the Prime Minister's statement will be non-debatable, an opportunity will be provided before the Recess for a discussion?

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

Certainly we will have that in mind as we go along, but I certainly cannot give a definite pledge now. I cannot tell, nor can the right hon. Gentleman tell, what the conditions are going to be. I must allow myself a certain latitude. I can tell the House that naturally our desire will be to meet the House by any means in our power but I cannot give a definite pledge. It would be wise perhaps to let the Prime Minister make his statement and see how the position stands.

Mr. Bevan

In view of the fact that requests have been made in the last three or four weeks for a Debate on the war situation, why is it impossible for the right hon. Gentleman to give us a firm assurance that in the next series of Sittings we shall have a Debate, and, if he cannot give that firm assurance, will the Prime Minister make his statement to-day on a Motion for the Adjournment, so that we may have an opportunity to consider what he says?

Mr. Eden

While it is true that there have been some requests for a Debate, there have also been a great many opinions reaching me in an opposite sense. The House might wish to see how matters develop before deciding when and in what circumstances a Debate can be most usefully held.

Mr. Bevan

Is there to be no protection whatever for minority views in the House? Is everyone in the world entitled to debate the war except the House of Commons?

Mr. Eden

I do not think the hon. Member can seriously believe that to be the Government's attitude. I shall do everything in my power to ensure opportunities for Debate, but, in a situation developing as this is now, it is impossible to fix a date.

Mr. Stokes

I was given to understand that very likely the first Sitting Day in the next series could be allotted for a Debate. May I ask whether, assuming that the military situation is all right, the Leader of the House can give a definite undertaking that there will be a Debate on the war that day?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Gentleman must understand that not only the military but the political situation is changing from hour to hour, and it is quite impossible for me to give a definite undertaking for the first Sitting Day in the next series.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

I do not wish to embarrass the right hon. Gentleman, but he must make up his mind by the third Sitting Day. Will there be such a change in the situation that he cannot give an answer now?

Mr. Eden

I beg my hon. Friend to believe that I am not at all embarrassed. What I do think is necessary is that we should give ourselves the maximum latitude that we can. I cannot foretell any more than can the hon. Member what the position will be in 24 hours from now.

Mr. Shinwell

Is there not some misunderstanding? Does not my right hon. Friend appreciate that it is not so much the military situation that hon. Members wish to discuss, because we do not know what the situation may be in the next series of Sittings, as he properly says, but certain decisions have already been taken by the Government, one of which was referred to by the Secretary of State for War to-day, which bears on the political situation in Sicily and possibly Italy. It is on these matters that the House, I am sure, desires to have a Debate. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I do not want to press my right hon. Friend to give an emphatic declaration—

Sir W. Davison

That is what the hon. Member is asking for.

Mr. Shinwell

I do not require any assistance from the hon. Gentleman. May I beg my right hon. Friend to take into consideration most sympathetically the request that has been made?

Mr. Eden

Of course, I shall take it into consideration sympathetically, but I cannot really add to what I have said. Political and military affairs cannot be estimated in this way. The situation has to be reviewed from hour to hour, and I think that when the House has heard the Prime Minister it may wish to change its mind.