BRITISH GOVERNMENT

Grey River Argus, 25 June 1942, Page 5

BRITISH GOVERNMENT

Facing Vital Commons Divisions n LA l ‘ N.Z. Cable Assn.] <Rec. 11.35) LONDON, June 23. It seems certain that the debate on Libya in the Commons will cq to a division on the question of confidence in the Government’s direction of the war,” says “The Times” political correspondent. “Small groups of Commoners, long critical of the Government, are discussing the draft for Sir Wardlaw Milne’s ‘no confidence’ motion. Probably it is being tabled on Wednesday. It is reported the motion will be supported by about twenty-five members. There is little indication that it will find much more support. Much depends, of course, on the events in Egypt before the debate takes place, arid also on the efficiency of the measures taken to restore the military situation. Commoners are deeply disturbed and even angry.” "The Times” in a leading article says: “A call for a searching inquiry has been raised with new force, because of their new grounds. Such demands were made after Malaya and Singapore, but then it was recognised that great risks were taken there, before the Japanese attack, to meet more urgent dangers elsewhere. It is assumed that guns and tanks of the latest pattern have been poured into Alexandria, so that al least the Libyan frontier has been made impregnable. But our weapons in Libya are still obsolescent. This most insistent question is disturbing the public. How comes it. that after three years of war our armament still lags in quantity and design—especially in design? The balance of air power, at least, as set out in official statements, has been stated to be on our side. Yet the enemy's Benghazi and Tripoli bases were not sustainedly attacked. The enemy’s ever-lengthening communications do not seem to be seriously threatened. The ‘adequate 5 Tobruk garrison was overwhelmed in 24 hours.

“Members of Parliament are pressing for a ruthless investigation. They are impelled by a. sense that The fate of Egypt may depend on the answer. There is need to fix the responsibility quickly—quickly, for time presses.” The “Daily Mail’s” correspondent says: Mr Churchill was told, by trans-Atlantic telephone, of an outburst of anger in the House of Commons and he was left in no doubt that the Government faces the possibility of a serious political revolt. Sir Wardlaw Milne has long been regarded as the stalwart of the Conservatives. He is collecting 'signatures for the following motion - — “That this House, while paying a tribute to the heroism and endurance of the armed forces, declares that it has no confidence in the central direction and general strategy of the war.” Sir Wardlaw Milne has moved as quickly as Marshal von Rommel to rouse an atmosphere of crisis which the House of Commons has not experienced since the early days o the war. , , The “Daily Mail” in a leader says. Mr Attlee’s' reference to a scapegoat was unhappy. The Gove . r £' ment seriously misinterprets the temper of the House if it imagines that the only desire of Parliament and the country is to cast stones at those responsible" The real motive is to expose defects so they may be avoided in the near future.” |