Sir Herbert Holdsworth: Is this not a question, not of war agricultural committees, but of restoring personal liberty?
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: Is not that the finest argument possible for individual enterprise?
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: I am not advocating monopolies.
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: But the output is greater.
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: Is it not a fact that during that period there was an agreed basis of distribution of the proceeds of the output as between the owners and the miners?
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: May I ask, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, whether a Member is entitled to use that word in regard to another Member?
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: Could you, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, give us some guidance regarding this matter before we go any further? Very controversial questions are being raised. I am not objecting to that but they do more or less all involve legislation. As this is a Supply Day, shall we on these benches who do not agree with the hon. Lady on many of the contentions she is putting forward be quite free to discuss the...
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: On a point of Order. Is not the right hon. Minister entitled to intervene to deny something?
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: Will the right hon. Gentleman issue further instructions on this matter, as this is a common practice all over the country and is really abominable?
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: It was not my intention to speak, but as one who is not having a contested election, perhaps I can take an impartial attitude. It has been very interesting to hear the speeches made from the other side, particularly the one so full of sound and fury which we had from the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris). The Leader of the Opposition and the Leader...
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: I am more convinced than ever on the matter. The party of which the right hon. Baronet is a leader should not have been the first to give notice to leave the Coalition Government at the end of the war. They did so before the Labour Party took action and it seems to me that their attitude now is one of trying to excuse themselves to the electors by shifting the blame upon the Prime Minister.
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: The Prime Minister's statement was made when it had been announced that the Independent Liberal Party were going to leave the Government. The statement would not have been made if they and the Labour Party had been prepared to stay on until the Japanese war was ended. There is a tremendous body of opinion in the country which feels that hon. Gentlemen opposite have ratted before the job was done.
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: I am certain that the hon. Member opposite and I will not fall out about this matter. I am convinced that the right hon. Baronet opposite and his party were responsible for the break-up of the Government. I think there is no getting away from that. I reiterate that hon. Members on the other side know quite well that the people of the country think it is wrong—I do not want to insult...
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: No, I did not. What I did was to leave the party because of a difference of opinion, and it is an action which I have never regretted. It would be better if the right hon. Baronet and the hon. Member who has just interrupted me had remained until the job was finished. I am convinced that had they been free to make up their own minds that is what they would have done, rather than having had...
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: The hon. Gentleman is quite right. I was in error, but it does not affect the argument. I would support every Member of this House in the defence of our privileges as I have done during my 14 years in this House. One of our greatest privileges is to have an opportunity of expressing our grievances before granting Supply. I was protesting against trying to hang a complaint regarding the Prime...
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: When people vote at an Election it is, "Yes," or "No."
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: Could we have an answer to the latter part of the Question—that is the point—and will the right hon. Gentleman say what effect these transfers to the Army will have on the release of R.A.F. personnel? Could we have an answer to that question?
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: I cannot see the slightest difference between the Amendment proposed by the Chancellor and the Bill as it stands. I believe I am correct in saying that the real position of the Prime Minister is First Lord of the Treasury. The Chancellor of the Exchequer acknowledged that everybody was satisfied with the suggestion that the Commission should be appointed by the Treasury. I desire to support...
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: How can that be, when we know that His Majesty will have to act upon the advice of somebody? We are specifying that certain Ministers should give advice, and we think it is better that the Lord Chancellor should do so.
Sir Herbert Holdsworth: I think some one on this side of the House should say a word in support of the Minister. Why need we pick out one particular day? There is nothing to prevent anyone keeping Good Friday this year, as in other years, as a sacred day. I pay this tribute to the Minister who has defended this Order; I know his deep religious convictions. Have we reached the moment during this war—in my opinion...