Government Policy.

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 14 February 1924.

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Photo of Sir Reginald Clarry Sir Reginald Clarry , Newport (Monmouthshire/Gwent)

I wish to take this House for a few moment from the comparatively peaceful subject of agriculture to the more or less thorny one of foreign policy. I refer more particularly to the party who are represented opposite and their association with the Socialist and Labour International. A very great deal of apprehension exists on this subject in this House, and a considerable quantity outside, and when the country mournfully realises and appreciates the position there will be considerably more apprehension and something even greater outside. Whether it is unconscious or wilful. I must say there appears to be a good deal of evasion about the Government attitude and expressions on this subject. I have no desire at the present time to say anything which will embarrass the Government who are starting out to govern the country, but I would like to utter a few words on the subject and to make a suggestion at the end which I feel certain, if adopted by the Government, would be to the advantage not only of the country hut of themselves.

As to the evasions, they ought to be pointed out. The other day a question was asked by the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison), to which the reply did not seem quite satisfactory. I understood the Prime Minister to say that his party's connection with the Labour and Socialist International was for the purpose of guiding them in their decisions. But the constitution of this International does not permit of any two opinions about that whatsoever. It says definitely that the bodies affiliated to the International must accept its rulings, which are binding. That is not guiding, it is binding, and I want to show presently that this Government is in a rather different position to the ordinary party Government to which we have been used for some years. Hon. Members on the benches behind the Government are practically dictated to by their annual congresses and meetings. They have to obey the resolutions and findings of those bodies.