It was a great chance for Mr. Churchill, and very
cleverly he took it. This time he wisely attempted no frontal attack on the Government, but adopting the attitude of a bewildered private Member finding himself in a difficulty as to what the Bill now really did contain, contended with studied moderation that " the complaint which had been made was certainly one which might not to be studied in any Party sense." It was soon clear from the subsequent wrangle on the motion to adjourn the debate, that his old supporters from the India Bill days had been mobilised in full force and that they were acquiring reinforcements from men whose loyalty to the Government up till then had never been in doubt. This, however, all took time and it is probable that had the Opposition grasped quickly the extent of the revolt, and had possessed the tactical sense to discourage their followers from speaking, the debate might have collapstsl and in the subsequent division the Government might have been defeated. As it was the Opposition won a moral victory. By 7.30 p.m. it had become obvious that there would be no proper discussion of the Coal Mines Bill that day and the Government. was forced to capitulate to the extent of agreeing not to take a division on it that night and to issue a White Paper explaining the scope of their amendments.
Previous page
