DEBATE IN THE COMMONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 14 April 1939, Page 5

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS

LABOUR LEADER DISAPPOINTED MISTAKEN POLICY OF TRUSTING DICTATORS GRAVE DANGERS FACED HJrttish Official Wirelessl (Received 14th April. 12.30 a.m.) RUGBY, 13th April. !n the debate in the House of Commons Mr C. R. Attlee, Leader of the Labour Opposition, expressed disappointment that Mr Chamberlain had not more clearly dissociated himself from his former policy of trusting dic-

! tators, which had been proved mistaken. Mr Attlee thought the rape of Albania was to the Anglo-Italian Agreement what the destruction of Czechoslovakia was to the Munich Declaration. It was not clear that the Prime Minister did not intend to continue to follow what had been a disastrous policy. Mr Chamberlain interrupted Mr Attlee at this point, and when the latter repeated. “I thought the Prime Minister said he intended to pursue the policy he had introduced ” he said, “What l said was I thought it right

at the time. I did not say that the changes which had taken place would render it right to continue the same policy.”

Mr Attlee continued that he welcomed the fact that the British Government had undertaken these responsibilities towards Poland, Greece and Rumania, but he pointed out that in so doing it was necessarily facing grave dangers, and argued that what the Government had done was at last to undertake obligations which it refused to accept under the League Covenannt at a time when it would have ensured peace and which now brought all the dangers which it had been formerly argued the Covenant involved, without any of the compensating advantages which it ! wolud have given. The Government was plugging leaks here and there as they appeared, but there was still no sign that it had constructive plans for building and strengthening the dam of collective security against war. Mr Attlee stressed the importance of associating Russia with any league of powers against aggression. SYSTEM OF COLLECTIVE SECURITY Sir Archibald Sinclaid, Leader of the Liberal Opposition, also was doubtful if the Government was bestirring itself sufficiently at a time when it should be moving quickly and resolutely to build up a general system of collective security. Such a system must be buttressed by force and to that buttress Britain must contribute in proportion to its population, resources and power, and must give the world convincing proof that she is resolved to do so. Nobody doubted that men could be obtained. The spirit of the British people was high and they saw the danger clearly. Sir Archibald Sinclair also urged the necessity for a Ministry of Supply, and was also anxious to see a closer approach to Russia.