GOOD HUMOUR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 194, 30 May 1945, Page 3

GOOD HUMOUR

PARLIAMENT IN SESSION. ' | ■' : L*. *’ . .! .. . : •: ALL THE BENCHES FILLED: " • MR CHURCHILL SCORES FREELY; * (Special .Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Ree. 12.80 p.m.) LONDON, May 29. Easy laughter and a delight in seeing former colleagues of the War Cabinet now on opposite sides of the House exchanging •thrusts and counter-thrusts made for a friendly atmosphere at Parliament’s first sitting after the Whitsun recess. In that recess, of course, now the famous Coalftion Government was broken up and was replaced by Mr Churchill’s “Caretaker” Government, but the business of the House- was continued as usual, with the exception that Labour and Liberal Ministers squeezed into places on the Opposition front benches, and faced their colleagues of the last five years. It was a packed House with practically every bench filled, and most of the galleries were occupied. The first hour . was devoted as usual to questions, and as each Minister or former Minister arrived he was greeted with cliG6rs • Mr Churchill arrived at the time when Sir James Grigg was answering a barrage of fire about the War Office, Ond was being barracked to “spehk up.” Mr Churchill’s entry helped to relieve the Secretary Of State’for " War of the momentary embarrassment. - Mr Herbert Morrison was the first of the former Ministers to ask questions of Mr Churchill. He wanted to know how quickly Goering would, dispatched, and the Prime Minister t 0... the accompaniment of a volley^. of cheers and chuckles, replied: “I do hot know any more than I did the day; be*. ( fore yesterday.” f : Prolonged Laughter. Mr Ernest Eevin was the next to cross swords when disapproval of the appointment of the Earl of Rost.berry as Secretary of State for Scotland was being aired. Mr Bevin asked Vi'hether the appointment of ;a peer indicated lack of ability among men in the Government and again Mr Churchill had a pat answer.' ‘.‘The Right Honourable Gentleman, is In, as good a position as I am to judge that-* ' having for-’so long enjoyed their support.” - :• •- ■ Every member was delighted, .: and there was a prolonged roar of laugh* ter. After Mr Anthony Eden had referred to the serious situation in Syria, Mr C. R. Attlee rose to ask questions about future business. He, too, was told to “speak up,” but there was nr need to make the same request for Mr Eden’s clear voice was heard distinctly in the chamber which is notorious for its accoustics. Mr Eden was quickly involved in a wordy clash with Mr Morrison/' when the latter learned that there might be - no time before the election to'introduce the former Home Secretary’s Bill / on the transition of controls. . . To another roar of laughter Mr Mor- ; v rison demanded: “Cannot this Government make up its mind about anything.” - -■ . Mr Eden bad already explained that there might be insufficient time, and retorted: “One moment the .Honourable Gentleman says we have got no mind, and when we express our mill'd, . lie complains of it.” - : *'\; From how on the vexed question of ' holiday-makers not being able to vote* was discussed, and there were continual cries of “order” and a number of interjections. “Worsened Manners.” ’ Mr Morrison was "heard demanding that Mr Churchill should speak, up, and Mr Churchill to remark “The Honourable Gentleman seems to have come out of the Home Office with worsened manners.” Many more points were made about holiday-makers, particularly in Lancashire and Scotland, being unable - vote, and Mr Churchill declared his willingness to discuss, the whole question with “those of the.other side.” All these exchanges continued in an atmosphere of good humour until, amid a general uproar caused by..exchanges as to whether the election should be held at another time, a member called out: “Beaverbrook is your boss.” . - • - Apparently Mr Churchill thought the word “blackmail” had been used, and rather pink and frowning he asked Mr Speaker whether this was in order: When it was clear that ' there had been a misunderstanding, good humour returned. One suggested thatthere was no need for any heat.to, be engendered. Mr Churchill replied: “No heat, is engendered in my ; mind. In fact, I rather enjoy these occasions.” . *... * The House enjoyed the occasion, v too, with its unusual background do the business as usual —which also :in--, eluded the introduction of new mem-', , hers. When the House went on to debate the coal situation everything seemed so “usual” that a majority of the benches quickly emptied. .