§ 49. Captain Gammansasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the fact that members of the United States Congress have visited France and the fighting zones in Western Europe, similar facilities will be provided for Members of Parliament.
§ Mr. AttleeI hope that it will shortly be possible to arrange for Members of Parliament to visit France. It will, of course, be for the Supreme Allied Commander to decide whether their visits can include fighting zones.
§ Captain GammansDoes not the right hon. Gentleman feel that it is most desirable that Members of this House should have the opportunity of meeting members of other democratic assemblies on the Continent at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. BuchananIf Members are to be chosen, is there to be any discrimination and are only certain Members to go as has hitherto been the case with regard to most of the delegations?
§ Mr. AttleeThere is to be no discrimination.
§ Earl WintertonArising out of the question of the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan), will the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is a matter which should be dealt with in the House of Commons through the ordinary channels and not by an outside body like the Empire Parliamentary Association, which is not concerned?
§ Mr. AttleeThe Noble Lord must realise that France is not a member of the Empire and therefore it is quite inappropriate to deal with it through the Empire Parliamentary Association.