Oral Answers to Questions — Post Office. – in the House of Commons at on 21 February 1940.
Mr. Woodburn asked:
the Prime Minister whether the Government will now make categorical declarations that Britain has no ulterior and undeclared purpose in the present war; seeks no territorial or material gain and has no intention in any way to impose any dismemberment on Germany; and that the sole objective to be achieved is to secure by reasonable guarantees, of which the withdrawal of Germany from armed occupation of Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland, would be an earnest, that Germany had renounced all intentions of armed expansion and was prepared to take her place in the councils of the nations as a free partner ready to co-operate in the steps necessary to secure a peaceful solution of economic, territorial and racial problems making for enmity and war, and for the safeguarding of all peoples against aggression?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
I see no object in adding to the categorical declarations already made by members of the Government as to the purposes of this country in the war.
Mr Arthur Woodburn
, Clackmannan and Eastern
While appreciating the difficulties of the Government in this respect, in order to counteract the propaganda of Dr. Goebbels and reassure people at home, will not the Prime Minister consider making some categorical declarations especially on the question of the dismemberment of Germany?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
I cannot add to what I have already said.
Mr. Sorensen asked:
the Prime Minister what reply he has returned to the resolution sent to him supporting the general principle of a peace settlement and international reconstruction as advocated by the Labour party?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
I regret that I am unable to identify from the description given the resolutions to which the hon. Member refers.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this principle is included in the peace terms of the Labour party; and will he not at least indicate wherein the Government diverge from this principle?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
No, Sir. I do not think that I am called upon to do that.
Mr Samuel Silverman
, Nelson and Colne
May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a little dishonest to allow these details to be broadcast to the German people unless they are also the policy of His Majesty's Government?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
I do not know whom the hon. Member is accusing, but it is certainly not me.
Sir Archibald Sinclair
, Caithness and Sutherland
Is it not clear that the British Broadcasting Corporation is not under the control of the Government and has a perfect right to broadcast what is said by His Majesty's Opposition?
Lieut-Colonel Sir Gilbert Acland-Troyte
, Tiverton
Is not the suggestion of His Majesty's Opposition quite absurd?
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".
