Prime Minister’s Statement to Commons

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 291, 9 December 1936, Page 5

Prime Minister’s Statement to Commons

No Attempt to Hurry King STRANGE SCENE IN COMMONS I (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Dec. 7. The Prime Minister made a further statement in the House of Commons this afternoon on the situation arising from the suggestion of the King’s marriage to Mrs. Simpson. The statement was made at the end of question time in a crowded House which received Mr. Baldwin warmly. “I am glad to have an occasion of making a further statement on the position,” said the Prime Minister. “In considering the whole matter it has always been and remains the earnest desire of the Government to afford his Majesty the fullest opportunity of weighing a decision which involves so directly his own future happiness and the interests of all his subjects. At the same time they cannot but be aware that any considerable prolongation of the present state of suspense and uncertainty would involve risk of the gravest injury to national and Imperial interests, and indeed no one is more insistent upon this aspect of the situation than his Majesty. “In view of certain statements which have been made about the relations between the Government and the King I should add that with the exception of the question of morganatic marriage no advice has been tendered by the Government to his Majesty, with whom all my conversations have been strictly personal and informal. These matters were not raised first by the Government but by his Majesty himself in conversation with me some weeks ago, when lie first informed me of his intention to marry Mrs. Simpson whenever she should be free. The subject has therefore been for some time in the King’s mind, and as soon as his Majesty has arrived at a conclusion as to the course he desires to take he will no doubt communicate it to his Government in this country and the Dominions. It will then be for these Governments to decide what advice, if any, they would feel it their duty to tender to him in the light of his conclusion. “I cannot conclude this statement without expressing, what the whole House feels, our deep and respectful sympathy Avith his Majesty at this time.” (Cheers.)

Difficult to Answer Questions

After Mr. Baldwin’s statement the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. C. B. Attlee, rose and asked the Prime Minister to bear in mind that the House and the country were anxious to receive the fullest information as soon as possible. Mr. Baldwin replied: "I shall be only to glad at a suitable moment to give the House such information as I can. The whole House will agree that at this moment, when the situation is so grave and anxious and while the King is considering this matter and has not yet made up his mind, I should have great difficulty in offering information or in answering supplementary questions. ”

There was considerable interruption and the Speaker intervened more than once when Mr. Winston Churchill sought to repeat the question he put last week asking for an assurance that no irrevocable decision would be taken until at least a statement had been made to Parliament of the constitutional issues involved. (Loud shouts of “No" and “Order, order.") Cannot Anticipate Decision.

“It is at the moment impossible for mo to give Mr. Churchill a reply," said Mr. Baldwin. “I do not know yet and cannot know yet what the King may decide or how ho may d_. .e to act. It is quite impossible for me to enter into any hypothetical considerations.” (Cheers.) Mr. G. Lambert (Lib.-National): Are you aware that there is deep personal sympathy with tho King? (Prolonged cheers.) Mr. E. Thurtlo (Labour): Will you take the opinion of the House on morganatic marriage? Mr. F. J. Bcllenger (Labour) asked whether in view of the serious dislocation of industry they would have an early opportunity for discussion. Both of these questions were drowned in cries of “Order," and they were not answered.

On leaving the House a few minutes later Mr. Baldwin was again cheered. To-day the King remained at Fort Belvedere, where he spent the weekend. In the House of Lords. The House of Lords was crowded, many Peeresses having reserved seats in the gallery at this afternoon’s sitting. Lord Halifax, tho Lord Privy Seal, in reply to a question by Lord Snell, repeated Mr. Baldwin’s statement in the House of Commons.

“ Shame” and “Sit Down”

COMMONS REBUFFS CHURCHILL LONDON, Dee. 7. 'While Mr. Churchill was asking Mr. Baldwin questions in the House of Commons there were cries of “Shame” and “Sit down.” Mr. Churchill continued, and there were further cries of “Speech.”' The hostile reception to Mr. Churchill was the sole topic in the lobbies after Mr. Baldwin’s statement. It was recalled that Mr. Churchill turned from side to side as though seeking some encouragement and Anally spread out his hands in a helpless gesture and sat down. Members are unable to remember such a rebuff to a public Agure. The Manchester Guardian's political correspondent says it has been claimed that at least 50 members of the House of Commons were associated with Mr. Churchill, but they did nothing to help him. Mr. Baldwin carries all but the merest fraction of the House with him.

No Immediate Change Likely, Says Mr Savage Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Cabinet held another long meeting to-day but the constitutional crisis was only mentioned and not discussed. The day was given to normal administrative business. After Cabinet rose late in the afternoon Mr. Savage said the latest message from the British Government could be described as the best and almost literally that there was nothing further to report or say about the situation. Meanwhile members of Cabinet would not bo called upon to sit and wait for developments. ‘‘lf the position changes,” added Mr. Savage, “Cabinet of course, will meet at once, but that does not seem likely at the moment.”

National Leader Called to Wellington Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. The leader of the Opposition, Hon. Adam Hamilton, leaves for Wellington by the express to-morrow morning. He has received a request from the Prime Minister that he should go to Wellington since the need for his presence there might arise.