WAR SITUATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 85, 21 January 1942, Page 6

WAR SITUATION

CAMPAIGN IN THE FAR EAST. COMMONS TO HOLD DEBATE. SUGGESTION FOR BROADCAST. (United Press Association—Copyright.. (Rcc. 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. Iu the JloHse of Commons, Mr "Winston Churchill was asked by Mr F. W. Pethick-Lawrence (Labour) whether he appreciated the great anxiety felt in all parts of The House in regard to the situation in the Far East and the importance of having a discussion before that situation further deteriorated. Mr Churchill, who was greeted with cheers from all parts of the House, said: “I naturally share the anxiety felt at the war ill the Far East, but I also share the growing confidence which I think might also lie justified in the eventual outcome of this struggle.”

The Prime Minister added that it Was proposed to have a three-day debate on the war situation in the near future. Should these debates disclose fiftjr circumstances Which seemed to involve a challenge to the Government it would be arranged on the second of third sitting day to put down a vote of confidence, so that any rcvelant amCfldmehfj in any form could be Proved Members might be able to state any difference they liad with the Government in the most effective form, and the House would be able to express its opinion. He proposed himself to open the debate and, if necessary, wind it up. _

Ml' Churchill also announced that facilities would be shortly given for a debate on the defence of airfields, upon which there had lately been given considerable discussion out of doors. On the whole, the Government considered this debate should be public, though this would necessarily impose a restraint on the discussion. The debate Would he opened by the Secretary of State for Air. Requests for Broadcasts, In reply to a question whether he Would consider making arrangements fof broadcasting important speeches in the House of Commons in view of the fact that arrangements made in connection with liis recent speeches to Congress at Washington and the House of Commons at Ottawa, Mr Churchill said he had considered this matter long and carefully, and also with diffidence, and to some extent at the present time it. affected himself. “It certainly Woilld be a very great convenience and would, I believe, be welcomed by the public if an electrical recording of the major, statements about the war could be made/’ said Mr Churchill. “This record could be used for subsequent broadcasting. That might be deemed an advantage. In my oWn ease 1 have constantly been aSiied to repeat a speech I have delivered in the morning over the broadcast in the evening. This imposes a very heavy strain, and moreover is unsatisfactory from the point of view of delivery. It has been represented to me that in the Dominions and the United States there are very large numbers of people who would like to listen to records of the actual speech or parts of it, rather than to news summaries such as are usually compiled hv the British Broadcasting Corporation. Moreover, such a record could ho used at the most convenient hour in various cotintries which now encircle the entire globe. I should hope, therefore, that the House might he disposed from time to time to grant me or any successor I may have during the War this indulgence. Shaukf Be Carefully Watched. “An innovation of this kind in our practice should be most carefully watched. I have proposed that an experiment should be mad© in the case of a statement I have been asked to make at an early opportunity on the present war situation. There must necessarily be in that statement a good deal that is of some interest both in America and Australia, and New Zealand, as well as India and South Africa. A motion is therefore to he placed: on the paper for discussion of the procedure to he followed on this particular occasion only. As a separate motion would he required in each individual case the House would have full control of the practice, and if it were found objectionable or invidious or not in the public interest it could be dropped. Evidently the practice would not he suitable ‘to periods of party government. The record! was to he the property of this House, and its use in the event of any controversy would l>e a matter for decision by the House under the Speaker’s guidance. As it is amatter which affects the customs of the House, I leave the decision to a free vote.” Mr Churchill added, with regard to the subsequent use made of the recount would he convenient because of the difference of time in the United States, the Dominions and South Africa. He had a feeling that in the circumstances of war, when matters affecting so many of our Dominions and Allies must com© up, this proposal worn! he a useful one. He- was, of course, entirely in the hands of the House, and if they did not like it, he would not take it amiss m any way and would, h© ready to give a broadcast in the evening.—Britisn cial Wireless.