SCHUMAN PLAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 212, 23 June 1950, Page 3

SCHUMAN PLAN

INVITATION TO BRITAIN

OPPOSITION CHALLENGE CN.Z.P. A.—Copyright) (Rec. 10.0 a.m.) LONDON, June 22. The Labour Government to-night asked the House of Commons to approve its handling of the French invitation to join European talks on the pooling of Western Europe’s c.oal and steel industries. It challenged the ConservativeLiberal motion calling for Britain’s participation in the Paris talks on the Schuman Plan with an amendment. This amendment asks Parliament to approve the declared readiness of the British Government to take a constructive part in the conversations “with the hope that they may be able to join or associate themselves with this common effort.”

The amendment welcomes the initiative of the French Foreign Minister., M. Schuman, but points out that it was not possible for the British Government to take part in the international consideration of his proposals on terms which committed them in advance, and to institute a new high authority whose decisions would bind the Governments concerned.

The amendment will be moved in the House of Commons on! Monday by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stafford Cripps. Party Whips, who earlier had doubted their ability to muster sufficient votes to defeat the Opposition attack, are confident to-day that no Labour' member will either abstain or vote against the Government on the amendment.

Later to-night there was a demonstration of support for the British Government’s stand by more than 30 Labour back-benchers, who tabled a further amendment' on the Schuman proposals. The amendment read: ‘That while recognising the significance of the endeavour to unify Europe’s coal and steel industries, this House fully supports the Government in its refusal to enter into undefined commitments, and stresses the importance of relating its responsibilities in the Commonwealth and sterling area to any future proposals or discussions.”