§ 47. Lieut.-Colonel Dowerasked the Prime Minister if the speeches made by the Home Secretary at Mexborough, on 4th March and at Bradford, on 5th March on post-war plans represent the policy of His Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend in these speeches was, of course, expressing his own personal views.
§ Lieut.-Colonel DowerEven though the speeches were made at party meetings, does not my right hon. Friend consider that to make statements which mean that in the post-war period Parliament should give up part of its power and much of its normal work, is likely to disrupt national unity at a time when that unity is most necessary?
§ The Prime MinisterI am quite sure that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has no desire to disrupt national unity. I gather that he was embarking on a purely philosophical disquisition on a hypothetical and conjectural situation which might arise after the war.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn view of recent pronouncements on post-war reconstruction by several highly-placed Members of the Government—the Minister of Production, the Home Secretary and others—who have apparently been speaking for themselves, would the right hon. Gentleman 2186 consider selecting a Member of the Government who will speak for the Government?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the worst came to the worst I might have a shot at it myself.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn view of certain ex cathedra utterances, has the worst not now come to the worst?
§ The Prime MinisterOn the contrary. I do not think so. Indeed, I was very much encouraged by some remarks of my hon. Friend himself during the weekend.