HC Deb 17 October 1944 vol 403 cc2205-8
Mr. Pethick-Lawrence (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether in view of the forthcoming international conference he is now in a position to state the Government's policy for the post-war ordering of international civil air transport.

The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair)

Yes, Sir. A White Paper on this subject is being published, and copies will be available in the Vote Office after I sit down.

Mr. Montague

Does the Secretary of State realise that this is the first indication of Government policy upon the subject, and that our representatives who have been mandated from this will be committed at the Chicago Conference, without this House having had the slightest opportunity of discussion?

Sir A. Sinclair

No, Sir. It is not the first indication, as the hon. Member will see. It follows indications which have been given both in this House and another place; but it is the first full statement of policy, for which I have been asked by my hon. Friend who has put the supplementary question and by other hon. Members in this House, and the Government have thought it right to lay this Paper.

Mr. Montague

Is it not a fact that the Government's policy has not been stated in this House and has never been discussed in this House, and that the country will be committed to that policy willy-nilly, because we cannot go back on it after the Chicago Conference?

Sir A. Sinclair

The White Paper is being published now, but arrangements for Debates are of course matters to be arranged through the usual channels.

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Is the right hon. Gentleman seriously suggesting that this country will be committed at the Chicago Conference, without any expression of opinion being taken from Parliament?

Sir A. Sinclair

My right hon. Friend knows perfectly well that this is a matter which constantly arises when we enter into international conferences, but certainly there will be discussions, in which all Governments will take part, and His Majesty's Government will be most anxious to have the approval and support of hon. Members.

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Will effective decisions be taken at that Conference? My right hon. Friend realises, no doubt, that the whole future of this country will be bound up with this matter. Surely Parliament will have some opportunity of expressing an opinion before the country is committed?

Sir A. Sinclair

Opportunities for discussion are a matter for arrangement through the usual channels.

Mr. Edgar Granville

Has the new Minister for Civil Aviation been consulted on this White Paper on Government policy?

Sir A. Sinclair

No, Sir, he has not been consulted, but this policy has been worked out for many months past. It has emerged from consultations with the Dominions, and consultations which have taken place in the Government. It is the policy of the Government, and it is a policy which it is quite impossible to change between now and the date of the international Conference.

Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

Will the Deputy Prime Minister say whether, after this White Paper is in the hands of Members, if there is a desire for a Debate, he will arrange through the usual channels to have an opportunity for discussion?

Mr. Attlee

Certainly, Sir, but perhaps hon. Members would like to see the Paper first, and then make an approach through the usual channels.

Mr. Bowles

May I ask for a definite assurance that, even though this Conference at Chicago will be attended by Lord Swinton—if he is back in time from West Africa—no commitments will be entered into at that Conference?

Sir A. Sinclair

No, Sir. That is not an assurance that any Government can ever give. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]It is quite clear that the Government will not enter into commitments that they have not every reason to suppose that Parliament will support.

Mr. Bowles

Will the Minister give an assurance that this country will not be committed? Do I understand him to say that we cannot be given an assurance and that he says it is most likely that commitments will be entered into?

Sir A. Sinclair

No, I did not say that at all. I say that the Government will not enter into binding commitments that they do not feel confident that the House will support.

Mr. A. Bevan

Is a Debate in this House to precede the discussion at Chicago?

Sir A. Sinclair

I have already made it clear, more than once, that that is not a matter for me.

Mr. Bevan

Is it not obvious that the Government will not be able to know the mind of the House, unless the House has had an opportunity of indicating what its views are?

Sir A. Sinclair

I think the hon. Member had better read the White Paper.

Mr. Speaker

rose

Mr. Bevan

May I just ask—

Mr. Speaker

The Secretary of State has stated that a White Paper is being published.

Mr. Bevan

I should like to ask whether an opportunity will be afforded the House of having a discussion on it before we enter into discussions at Chicago?

Mr. Attlee

As I have already said, that is a matter for consideration through the usual channels.