HC Deb 04 February 1952 vol 495 cc636-7
45. Mr. Geoffrey Bing

asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the circumstances in which the advice to be tendered to His Majesty as to the appointment of Lord Alexander as Minister of Defence was prematurely disclosed.

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

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. There were rumours and speculations about the possibility of Lord Alexander and other prominent personages being appointed Minister of Defence before the appointment was officially announced. In this instance they proved accurate in respect of Lord Alexander.

Mr. Bing

Has the right hon. Gentleman given consideration to the statement made, when the Prime Minister and himself were in the United States, by Lord Bracken in which Lord Bracken said that the appointment was to be made and he did not care who knew it? Does he consider that to be merely speculation?

Mr. Eden

I do not think it would cause me to vary the terms of my answer.

Mr. Shinwell

Does that mean that Lord Bracken is no longer in the confidence of the Prime Minister?

Mr. Eden

As the right hon. Gentleman has probably discovered, Lord Bracken is not a member of His Majesty's Government.

Sir W. Smithers

On whose advice was the date of the General Election so prematurely disclosed?

Mr. Emrys Hughes

On a point of order. Is it not true that there are two Lord Alexanders, and can it be that the wrong Alexander has been appointed?

Mr. Speaker

I think the context of the Question indicates which noble Lord was meant.