Lloyd George Urges P.M. To Sacrifice Seals of Office

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1940, Page 5

Lloyd George Urges P.M. To Sacrifice Seals of Office

P.M. Refuses to Shield Behind First Lord (Received .1 p.m.) LONDON. May 8. A T THE CONCLUSION OF THE DEBATE ON NORWAY, THE HOUSE OF COMMONS PASSED A.VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE CHAMBERLAIN ADMINISTRATION BY 280 VOTES TO 200. There are 015 members of Ihe House. The division was forced bv the Labour Party. The Government’s majority was the smallest it lias had since it took office in 1935. A commentator stated subsequently that the Government’s majority was actually greater than appeared from the figures, as a large number of its supporters were not in the House when the division was taken. Government cheers and Opposition counter cheers greeted the result of the division, states a British Official Wireless message. Replying for the Government at the end of this momentous debate, Mr. Winston Churchill first emphasised that the disadvantage of Britain not having the initiative was its failure in the last five years to maintain air parity with Germany. Tt was no use thinking about this war in terms of the last war. Power of the air had greatly affected movement of fleets and armies. “We must not exaggerate this new factor,” he said, “but neither must we refuse to recognise it.” Prime Minister in the Great War, Mr. Lloyd George, strongly attacked the conduct of the war. He said: “After a good deal of reflection, I say deliberately that there is, in my judgment, no cause for panic, but there is great cause for pulling ourselves together. “You cannot do it unless you tell the country the facts. “They must realise the magnitude of our jeopardy.” The Prime Minister, he concluded, could do nothing greater to contribute to victory than sacrifice the seals of his office.