BUDGET REPORT DEBATE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21808, 13 June 1936, Page 15

BUDGET REPORT DEBATE

MR BALDWIN’S TRIBUTE TO MR THOMAS COMMUNIST ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT (UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHT.) (Received June 12, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, June 11. The debate on the budget report was opened by the Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin), who emphasised the difference between the judicial tribunal which Parliament had constituted for the purpose of making an enquiry into the budget disclosures, and an ordinary court of law, since, he said, a grave injustice would be done to the two members affected by the report if the distinction were overlooked, and if they were regarded as having been found guilty of a criminal act. It was his responsible, though distasteful task, as leader of the House, to move that the report of the tribunal be accepted. Mr Baldwin said that Mr Thomas, whose long public career was well known, and whose loyal co-opera-tion in the Government of which he was now the head he gratefully acknowledged, had recognised that the House was bound to accept the findings of the tribunal. The whole House, Mr Baldwin declared, acknowledged the sense of duty under which the tribunal undertook its task, and the promptness and thoroughness with which it had discharged it. In resigning from Parliament—while maintaining, as he had, that he had a perfect right to do that, and that he was conscious of no offence —Mr Thomas had consulted his own dignity and the dignity of the House, and he had taken the course which deserved, and would receive, the full sympathy of the House. “Expiation in Full’’ Mr Baldwin said that Sir Alfred Butt had also taken the proper course. Expiation in full had been made by both members. They had left the House for the last time, and it was closed to them. “The careless and unthinking cruelty of modern publicity has been theirs for weeks,” added the Prime Minister. “They are paying the penalty in full. There is no appeal from the findings, and whatever stigma there is from the report remains for all time. Let us hope with all our hearts that we will never participate in so painful a scene again.” In conclusion, Mr Baldwin said he would change the motion to read that the House accepted the report. Sir Archibald Sinclair said that the Liberals associated themselves with the Prime Minister’s expression of thanks to Mr Justice Porter and his colleagues on the judicial tribunal.

The “Artful Dodger” Mr James Maxton (Independent Labour) said that he had known Mr Thomas for almost 30 years, and he had been associated with him for many years in the work of the Labour party. “At no time during that period did I, or those associated with me, approve of his methods and general political conduct,” added Mr Maxton. Nevertheless, they regretted that his political career should end in this way. Mr W. Gallacher (Communist) said that Mr Thomas had talked about his vices, if they were vices, but the Government had encouraged him in them. They knew that the more he got into society the more he was their man. (Laughter.) Mr Thomas did not suddenly develop corruption. He was brought into contact with the captains of industry. and the politicians representing them, and they patted him on the back, “If Mr Thomas was the Artful Dodger in the Labour movement, Mr Ramsay Mac Donald was the Fagin,” said Mr Gallacher.

Remark Withdrawn Proceeding to criticise Sir Donald Somervell’s ruling, Mr Galiacher said it created suspicion that there were reasons why there had been no prosecutions. Were they afraid that other things would come out? “Men 'have been hanged on less circumstantial evidence than that available in this case,” he said. “I understand that you are not prosecuting because you would expose and end the rule of the National Government, which is founded on corruption and the betrayal of the people.” Colonel G. K. M. Mason (Conservative) here shouted: “You dirty swine!” Labour members demanded the withdrawal of the remark. Colonel Mason rose and said: “I apologise for using such an unparliamentary word,” but Labour members, not being satisfied, Colonel Mason rose again and formally withdrew the expression. Sir Donald Somervell said he was satisfied that there was no evidence to justify proceedings for perjury against any of the witnesses who appeared before the tribunal. As for the Official Secrets Act, he was satisfied that evil intent was a necessary ingredient of an offence.

TWO BY-ELECTIONS NECESSARY (BUniSIl OFFICIAL WIRELESS ) 9 (Received June 12, 7.6 p.m.) RUGBY, June 11. The resignations of Mr J. H. Thomas and Sir Alfred Butt will necessitate by-elections in the Derby division, for which Mr Thomas sat continuously since 1910, having been returned at the last two general elections as a National Labour member, and in the Balham and Tooting division, which had returned Sir Alfred Butt as a Conservative member since 1922.

RUMOURED LEAKAGE DENIED

(Received June 12, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 11. Mr Baldwin, answering Mr E. Thurtle (Labour), attached no credence to an allegation that a rise in Newfoundland stocks preceding the issue of the report of the commission examining the island’s finances indicated a leakage of official information.