20 DECEMBER 1940, Page 3

The Week in Parliament

Our Parliamentary Correspondent writes: The House of Commons is about to disperse for the Christmas recess, but it would not care to go away before hearing the statement on the war from the Prime Minister. Next week I hope to make special reference to the speech and the subsequent debate. News from Italy is so reassuring that members have taken fresh heart ; but they are mindful of the sinkings and bomb- ings at home, and no one is in a mood to minimise the gravity of the months ahead. Lord Lothian's untimely death has brought home the superb work done at Washington these last months. It will be difficult to find the right successor.