SCHUMAN PLAN AND BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26159, 8 July 1950, Page 7

SCHUMAN PLAN AND BRITAIN

EXCEPTION TAKEN TO MINISTER’S SPEECH QUESTIONS ASKED IN COMMONS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 6. Mr Attlee had an uncomfortable quarter of an hour during question time in the House of Commons, when Conservative members pressed him for an explanation of the references made to the Schuman Plan by the Secretary of State for War (Mr John Strachey) during a speech at Colchester last week-end. According to the British Press Association’s report, Mr Strachey described the Schuman Flan as a “plot” which had been exposed bv the British Labour Party. The reference has been sharply criticised, not only in British newspapers, but also on the Continent. The matter was raised in the House of Commons by Mr D. Eccles (Conservative, Chippenham), who asked the Prime Minister whether Mr Strachey’s speech represented the policy of the Government towards the Schuman Plan. Mr Attlee said: “The policy of the Government in relation to the Schuman Plan was expressed in my speech to the House on May 11, when I said

that the French proposals must be regarded as a notable contribution towards a major European problem." Mr Eccles: Has the Prime Minister noticed that the Secretary of State’s description of the Schuman Plan as a plot against Socialism is. identical with the propaganda line taken by the Moscow radio?

Mr Eccles continued: “In view of this, does the Prime Minister think that a Minister who in this way questions the good faith of the French Foreign Minister should remain a member of a Government which only a week ago asked this House to welcome the plan?” Mr Attlee: As I understand it, the Secretary of State for War used the word “plot” not in relation to the Schuman Plan, but in relation to the manoeuvres of the Opposition in this House.

Reporting of Speech Mr H. C. Strauss (Conservative, Norwich South): Does the Prime Minister’s reply mean that the Secretary of State for War repudiates the version of his speech given over the 8.8. C. and in the “Observer"? Mr Attlee: I understand that this was not a textual report. It was a report made in the ordinary way of the speech, and I think there was some confusion between what was said about Opposition members and what was said in regard to a foreign Power. Mr Harold Macmillan (Conservative, Bromley): As perhaps this statement of the Secretary of State is connected with his often expressed views that a Socialist society evolves into a Communist society, and that Socialism is the necessary transitional stage to Communism. . . . At this stage, interjections by other members made Mr Macmillan’s remarks inaudible. Mr Attlee then said: “That does not seem to have anything to do with the question on the order paper.” Mr J. B. Hynd (Labour. Attercliffe): Is the Prime Minister aware that many members on this side of the House are no less perturbed by the Secretary of State's speech, and will welcome a reassurance that the Government’s policy remains unaltered, and also his explanation that the speech as reported. is not accurate? Mr R. A. Eden (Conservative, Warwick and Leamington): If the report of the speech is inaccurate, will Jhe Prime Minister or the Secretary of State for War tell us what he did say? Mr Attlee: Obviously I cannot give the House an account of what exactly was said in the speech. I did not hear it, but the Secretary of State assures me the use of the word “plot” which appeared in the report related to proceedings in this House. Mr Eccles: If this interpretation of the word “plot” is inaccurate, why did not the Government contradict it at once? Did the Prime Minister instruct His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris to try to allay the damage it has done there, which has been very severe? Mr Attlee did not reply. Subsequently the Press Association issued a statement saying that the text of Mr Strachey’s speech was circulated to it in advance, and that it was checked on delivery and the necessary amendments made. The speech was delivered textually in accordance with the advance copy.' The use of the word “plot” was as reported. In these circumstances. said the association, it stood by its report.