29 JANUARY 1937, Page 3

On the Opposition side the best speech of the evening

was made by Sir Stafford Cripps. In view of the trial to which this honourable .and learned member seems likely to be subjected at no distant date by the executive of his own party on a charge of subversive activities, there was a decided piquancy in his plea for fairness to the men. It also became clear, since Sir Stafford spoke on a level far above that of most of his colleagues, why there is considerable reluctance, on the part of M.P.'s at any-rate, to proceed to disciplinary extremes against the ablest debater in their ranks.