The blunt and uncompromising nature of the Report of the
Tribunal has placed the Labour Party in an embarrassing position. They had expected when they first raised the issue that all that would result would be a whitewashing enquiry, and they had hoped that they would be able to raise an outcry similar to that on the Marconi scandals which beat and all but broke the Liberal Government of the pre-War years. The Tribunal has, however, been so swift and severe in its condemnation that they found themselves without any criticism to nuike upon it, and were hard put to it to devise a motion to put down in the order paper. What has also discom- fited them is the realisation that Mr. Thomas is after all a legacy from the Trades Union movement and that his condemnation was really a reflection on working-class representation. Mr. Attlee very cleverly tried to put the onus of devising a motion on the Government and sternly demanded " that the Government should make up their mind on the matter and give a lead." He was, however, • not supported in any part of the House, and the decision announced by the Prime Minister that the Government would merely put down a motion that the Report of the Tribunal be now considered was generally acclaimed as the only possible course. It is clear that the opposition are as anxious as the Government to get the disagreeable business cleared away as soon as possible.
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