MR. ATTLEE ANSWERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1942, Page 8

MR. ATTLEE ANSWERS

DIFFICULTIES AHEAD

(Rec. 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 28. Mr. Attlee, replying to points in the debate, said he could not say what reinforcements had been sent to the Far East without at the same time informing the enemy. "I can assure the House, however, that reinforcements were sent to the East at the earliest possible moment, and were sent from those places and forces most readily available. Other reinforcements were being sent, but the House must remember the long distance to be travelled to bring reinforcements to that theatre of war." To critics who dwelt on the misfortunes suffered, Mr. Attlee countered: "In a memorable speech, the Prime Minister has said that he offered us only blood, toil, tears, and sweat. Those are still our lot. That is what we have to expect. But, undoubtedly, there are members who, since the blitz ceased, have begun to think it is not true, and that there is something very terrible if we do not have an unending series of successes. We have never been in an easy position. We have never been away from possibilities of great dangers and difficulties. We have had to face immediate danger after immediate danger."

Referring to India's position as a potential'arsenal for the East, Mr. Attlee said there was a great deal to be said for this plan, as a long-term policy, but in the actual circumstances of the time it was prevented by the restricted quantity of machine-tools and trained personnel. While there had been a great increase in recruiting for the Indian army, the number of troops that could be raised at one time was restricted by the amount of training cadres available. But the Government was not neglecting this great source of man-power, and there had been a very great increase of industrial production in the East.— 8.0. W.