Foreign Affairs

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 May 1947.

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Photo of Mr Quintin Hogg Mr Quintin Hogg , Oxford 12:00, 15 May 1947

I have always understood that we carried out our financial commitments in regard to Greece. I do not think the hon. Member is doing a service by trying to avoid the real fundamental difference of opinion which exists between us, which I am trying to state. I believe that this policy is dishonourable, and more than that, I believe that it is going to be disastrous. The hon. Member complains that our present policy would lead to subservience to America, but where would the policy which he recommends lead? It would lead to far greater subservience to America. If America is to undertake our burden in Germany, or is to undertake our burdens in the Middle East, and we are to clear out, it does not mean that our interests in Germany or the Middle East will disappear. It only means that we are incapable of protecting them and have committed them over to America, and that we shall be bound to do exactly what America desires.

If we desire our foreign policy to be independent, we must remain a great Power. I believe it is worth a great deal of sacrifice. I say this to hon. Members opposite: Governments have to undergo unpopularity, even from their own supporters, to do what they believe is ultimately in the interests and for the honour of their country, and in a matter of that kind, I shall be happy to support them, even against their own supporters, if they stand by the interests of this country as a great Power. A policy of abandonment of our commitments, in the way proposed, would certainly lead to another war. I can imagine no more certain way of precipitating the differences which at present exist between the United States and Russia, than that the great conglomeration of economic, military and territorial interests, which at present make up the power and wealth of the British Commonwealth and Empire, should be liquidated and left, like a carcase, to be pecked by the other great Powers of the world, I can imagine nothing more certain to lead to disaster. It is a policy of cowardice, and for that reason I condemn the policy put forward by the hon. Member.

But at least I agree with him in this, that our foreign policy must be based upon the necessity of maintaining an adequate standard of life for 47 million people in these Islands. I do not believe that a policy of abandonment of our commitments all over the world—the disintegration of the British Commonwealth and Empire and the refusal to honour our commitments—will make it possible for more than about 20 million people to live in this country. It is because I believe that the view of our country's role held in all sincerity by the hon. Member, spells the greatest ethnological disaster its people can ever undergo, that I for one, and, I believe, all my hon. Friends, condemn it. We have trodden the way that leads to greatness, and back along that path there is no return. We have bitter sufferings to undergo, and many differences must divide us while we undergo them—more is the pity—but about this let us be quite clear, that only by Great Britain remaining great and a great Power in the world, in the true and historic sense of the term, can there be peace for the nations of the earth, and prosperity for the people of this country.