20 MAY 1938, Page 3

The Week in Parliament Our Parliamentary Correspondent writes : For

the moment, at any rate, the sacrifice of Lord Swinton has strengthened the Government's position in the House of Commons. After last week's debate on military aviation all parties were thoroughly dissatisfied. There were many Conservatives who might not have been prepared to vote for the Opposition demand for a formal enquiry, but who were nevertheless profoundly uneasy, and whose fears were not allayed by Lord Winterton's apologia. It would be an exaggeration to say that such uneasiness is now dissi- pated. But there is the usual feeling that a new Minister should be given a chance. Moreover, Sir Kingsley Wood is well thought of on the back benches. He can show a departmental record of almost uninterrupted success, though whether he will succeed in a task so completely different from anything he has yet attempted remains to be seen. One thing, however, is certain. In future the public will never be left in ignorance regarding the work and achievements of the Air Ministry. This will be no bad thing. To adopt a well-known legal aphorism, it is not only necessary that we should construct aeroplanes, but also that we should appear to be constructing aeroplanes. * * *