Britain’s Chancellor Resigns Following ‘Grave Indiscretion’

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1947, Page 5

Britain’s Chancellor Resigns Following ‘Grave Indiscretion’

(Recd. 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, November I It is officially announced that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Dr Dalton, has resigned. Sir Stafford Cripps is the new Chancellor. This followed Dr Dalton’s apology in the House of Commons for a “grave indiscretion’* in giving the correspondent of a London paper information about the Budget before he made his Budget The official announcement of the resignation followed Ministerial consultations, which continued throughout the evening. The Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, cancelled an engagement to speak at a dinner and Mr Herbert Morrison deputised to read Mr Attlee’s speech. n , The Daily Express’s political correspondent says that Dr Dalton offered his resignation to Mr Attlee after his apology in the Commons. Mr Attlee was expected to tell him to regard the incident closed.

Dr Dalton in the House of Commons j today apologised for a “grave indiscretion’’ in giving the correspondent of a London evening paper, The Star, information about the Budget before his Budget speech in the Commons yesterday. The Star published information about the new taxes at 3.45 p.m., before Dr Dalton had reached that part of his Budget speech in the House. Dr Dalton explained today: “In reply to questions put to me by The Star’s lobby correspondent, I indicated the subject matter contained m The Star. I appreciate this was a grave indiscretion, for which I offer deep apologies.” Mr Churchill said the Opposition acknowledged Dr Dalton’s frankness and wished to express sympathy at the misuse of his confidence. Sir Stafford Cripps will continue as Economic Minister in addition to being Chancellor. Inquiry Sought Mr Churchill, Mr Eden, Sir John Anderson, Mr Clement Davies and others tabled a motion in the Commons “that a select committee be appointed to inquire into tlie circumstances of the disclosure of Budget information by the Chancellor yesterday to a correspondent of the Star newspaper.” Mr Attlee, in a letter to Dr Dalton about the information given 'the Star before his Budget speech, said: “I | realise that this indiscretion in itself did not result , in any action detri--1 mental to the State, but the principle of the inviolability ' of the Budget is

of the highest importance and tne discretion of the Chancellor, who necessarily receives many confidential communications, must be . beyond question.” Dr Dalton’s Letter Dr Dalton wrote to Mr Attlee: “In view of the incident which was raised today in the House, I think it my duty to offer my resignation. If you accept it, I shall continue to give my utmost support to the Government. Mr Attlee replied: “I have come, to the conclusion, with-great regret, that it is my duty to accept your resigna--1 Mr Attlee’s letter to Dr Dalton further said: “I sympathise very deeply with you in this interruption of a distinguished career. I thank you most warmly for good and loyal service. Our friendship remains.” Mr Churchill’s Stand Mr Churchill, who expressed sympathy with Dr Dalton in the /Commons, wrote to him this evening. I have now seen the very precise and comprehensive form of the report in the Star. I am also told that no obligation of secrecy was imposed on the journalist. There could have been dealings as a result of this premature disclosure. . I feel it necessary that the incident should be subject to an inquiry by a select committee. The Star said yesterday in a midafternoon edition that it expected the Budget proposals would include a penny a pint on beer, no change in tobacco, a doubled profits tax, a tax on “the dogs” and pools, but not horse racing* and increased purchase taxes.