HC Deb 17 October 1944 vol 403 cc2190-1
45. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Prime Minister whether he has noted the Motion on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Westhoughton urging His Majesty's Government and its Allies to make a declaration relative to a new and democratically-minded régime in Germany; and if he will arrange for a debate on that Motion.

[That this House would welcome a declaration by His Majesty's Government, in conjunction with its allies, which would encourage the emergence within Germany of a new régime composed of democratically-minded persons in whom the United Nations could have confidence, so that a settlement of the problems which caused the present conflict in Europe might be reached on the basis of the principles set forth in the Atlantic Charter.]

The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I can hold out no hope of special facilities being given in the present Session for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend.

Mr. Davies

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a few months ago, when I tabled a Motion supported by 70 of my hon. Friends on the Atlantic Charter, the Prime Minister said then that if we were determined to challenge the Government and press it to a Division he would give us a full day's Debate? Will my right hon. Friend therefore reconsider the position when I tell him that we intend on this occasion to challenge the Government's war policy; will he, knowing that, consider giving us a day's Debate?

Mr. Attlee

My right hon. Friend's previous reply was given some time ago. We are now getting towards the end of the Session.

Mr. Petherick

Is it not the case that we tried a democratically-managed régime in Germany before, and they were just the same as the others?