POST OF FOREIGN SECRETARY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 2 March 1938, Page 11

POST OF FOREIGN SECRETARY

OPPOSITION TRIBUTES TO LORD HALIFAX OBJECTION TO PEER AS MINISTER MR CHAMBERLAIN ADMITS DIFFICULTY (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTEIGHT.J (Received March 1, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) opened the debate in the House of Commons on the appointment of Lord Halifax as Foreign Secretary. After paying a tribute to Lord Halifax’s qualifications, he said that since democracy was assailed it was most important that the House should keep a close watch over the control of foreign policy, and have a Foreign Secretary in the House, responsive to public opinion.

The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) agreed that having the Foreign Secretary in the House of Lords presented a difficulty, but he was prepared to mitigate it by personally answering major questions and participating in foreign affairs debates.

Answering a question, Mr Chamberlain said there was a danger of duality in foreign policy, signs of which were already apparent. Sir Archibald Sinclair (Liberal leader) said that though Lord Halifax personally commanded the confidence of the House, there was no confidence in the policy he would have to carry out. “Lord Halifax was the best choice available,” said Sir Archibald Sinclair. “I remain a keen opponent of Mr Chamberlain’s policy, but I pay tribute to his personal courage in making, this decision. Let our controversies be on the main issue —the Prime Minister’s policy.” Mr Winston Churchill said: “If the House of Commons wishes to keep control of foreign affairs it would be better to have few debates, but longer and more carefully prepared. Lord Halifax is a man of great integrity and courage, and the only one fit to carry through an experiment which I consider unpromising. It has already cost those who launched it a considerable price, both in their political interests and our interests in Europe.” “If other things are equal, it is desirable that the Foreign Secretary should be a member of the House of Commons, where his policy can be challenged,” said Mr Chamberlain. “Not one of my colleagues is as well qualified for the Foreign Office as Lord Halifax. It would not be right to deprive the country of his services merely because he is a member of the House of Lords.” A Government motion for an adjournment was carried by 226 votes to 99.

“GARDEN OF EDEN”

BRITISH CRISIS FEATURED IN

COLOGNE CARNIVAL

(Received March 1, 7.5 p.m.)

LONDON, February 28

A car inscribed “The Garden of Eden,” carrying a figure of Mr R. A. Eden bowing to the crowd from a withered garden and bearing the words, “They carried the corpse from Downing Street,” was the chief tableau of a carnival procession in Cologne. A band playing a funeral march preceded the car.

DEFENDING SUEZ CANAL

REPORT OF ITALIAN DEMAND DENIED

(BRITISH orriClAL WIRELESS.)

RUGBY, February 28

fhe Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) was questioned in the House of Commons about the alleged claim by Italy to share in the defence of the Suez Canal. He replied that he had not caused any search to be made in the Foreign Office archives before 1922, but since that year the British Government was not aware of any request by Italy for a share in the defence of the Suez Canal. Mr Chamberlain added that an Official communique issued in Rome yesterday described as fantastic reports of Italian demands for armed supervision of the Suez Canal.