27 MARCH 1964, Page 9

Let's Keep it out of Party Politics

The Churches should make a special plea that this kind of issue should not become aggravated by the pressure of party politics.—Bishop of Chichester. The matter is too serious for it to be made a party political. issue.—Lord Montgomery of Alamein.

It Was to be regretted that the vital issue of nuclear weapons was being used on a party plat- form.—Lord Shepherd.

Extracis from three successive speeches in the House of Lords on the State of the Nation.

Some people think perhaps that on the whole There should be rather wider State control, While others on the contrary would guess That we would get on better, were there less. 1 hope at least there will be no suggestion That this be treated as a party question.

So to some weighty statesmen it seemed right That Europe and Great Britain should unite, While to another school, perhaps as strong. It was as clear as mud it would be wrong. Some took the former view and some the latter, But all agreed it was no party matter.

Wise strategists are heard to plead that this isle Requires an independent nuclear missile. And others, just as wise, think it no harm That we should unilaterally disarm, The problem, both agree without preamble, Is ,no lit matter for the party scramble.

The Tories hope that on Election Day The voting once again will go their way; Oddly enough it seems the Opposition Has got exactly the reverse ambition. But all of us devoutly hope they'll fix It up without involving politics.

C1-111STOPHER