CRITICISM IN COMMONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1939, Page 11

CRITICISM IN COMMONS

NOT STIFLED BY WAR » LONDON, September 19. The part to be played by Parliament during the war is gradually be- ! ing made clear. At one time, when a ! spate of emergency legislation was raced through, there were several members who began to think that the edge of criticism directed against the 1 Government would become severely blunted, and that they would be required merely to agree to decisions of the Executive. No such invertebrate condition, however, is likely to exist. It is very clear that there will be a sharp loolt-out for shortcomings and i incompetency, and if errors are not corrected further explanations will be ■ demanded. The Socialist Opposition intends to keep question time alive,’ I and, following the Prime Minister’s I weekly war survey, open, and helpful j criticism may be expected. I The temporary sinking o,f all party differences has been a notable feature . of the events in Parliament immediate- ' ly preceding and following the outbreak of war. Both the leaders of the I trade union and Socialist movements t have fully supported the Government’s i anti-Nazi policy, aijd for the time be- . ing have suspended party attacks on the Government, although declaring ! that the Government by its previous ' policy, is responsible for the country finding itself in the present position. A similar view is taken by the Opposition Liberals. It is this desire to criticise helpfully and to maintain independence of action which accounts for the refusal of leaders of both Opposition parties to join the Government. Actually, no ' decision has been taken yet by the ; Labour Opposition on the subject of entering the Cabinet, and. in any case, it would be necessary to secure the approval of a special conference of the Socialist Party and the assent of the Trade Union Congress before a member joined the Government. It is an open secret, however, that the leaders hold the view, so far, that independence of action should be maintained —not for purposes of factious opposition, but for vigilant scrutiny. Transport House hopes to prevent friction developing in industry, to insist on resolute prosecution of the national effort with a minimum of political controversy, and to assist in presenting four-square solid front to Hitlerism. An earnest of this hope and intention is the appointment of a number of Socialist Front Bench M.P.s to act as liason officers between the Opposition and Government Departments, and the agreement not to contest Parliamentary by-elections. The efforts of industrial leaders to protect trade union machinery in war time are not obstructionist tactics. They are made iii the firm belief that the maintenance of a reliable and smooth-running union organisation is in the best interests of the nation. Another reason for the refusal of lief, fairly widely held, that it is felt lief, fairly widely held, taht it is felt that coalition government is not only weak government, but tends to destroy the effectiveness of the parliamentary system.

Without vigilant watchdogs in Parliament to urge the Government to greater efforts in the prosecution of the war there would be a danger of Government complacence and the gradual nullification of the Parliamentary machine.

LIAISON SYSTEM In addition to liaison officers being appointed to act between the Parliamentary Labour Party and the Service Ministries, another member is also on the advisory council of the Ministry of Information. It is believed that, properly organised, this system of liason should be a device of great utility. It should ensure a proper supply of continuous knowledge to the Opposition upon subjects about which adequate information is essential if criticism is to be effective and useful. It should save Ministers and Departments a good deal of unnecessary questioning and debate. It should enable the House of Commons, where criticism, or even attack, becomes desirable, to deal with large principles upon tire highest ground. The Labour Party has already criticised severely the Ministry of Information —although in this it has by no means been alone —and it. is also urg--ing on the Government the organisation of munitions supply on a much bigger scale than at present. Behind the scenes and in public, men like Sir Walter Citrine and Mr. Ernest Bevin, for the trade unions, and the leaders of the Parliamentary party have played an invaluable part in preparing the nation’s defences.

An overwhelming proportion of unions and trades councils co-operate on National Service committees, while Socialist groups on local authorities and their followers are enthusiastic A.R.P. workers. The work of Mr. Herbert Morrison, M.P., and his colleagues on the London County Council in orpanising the civil defence of the Commonwealth’s capital will not readily be forgotten.

Commenting on the relation between Government and Parliament at the present time, the “New Statesman and Nation” compares it with that existing between Hitler and the Reichstag.

“On the one hand,” it is stated, “there is a Government each move of which is examined and analysed by the unhampered representatives of a free people; on the other, a dictator announces to his regimented followers a policy about which they have no say of any kind. The nation had confidence in its cause because its Parrlianient is free to analyse that cause from every angle. . .

“It is’ comforting, in a war against Nazi dictatorship, to realise that its first outcome is a new interest in, a new respect for, the House of Commons. The more profoundly the Government continues to make possible that interest and that respect, the more strong and enduring will be the national response to the terrific challenge it has to meet. For the way to preserve freedom for abroad is to give it the fullest opportunity ol creative expression at home.”