AT WESTMINSTER
THE allocation of the last day before a Parliamentary Recess to a series of debates taken on the motion for the Adjournment is a unique and admirable practice. It is an extension of the principle of the short adjournment debates taken daily which, with Question Time, are virtually the sole remaining field for the exercise of Private Members' Rights. On Friday last, the occasion enabled debates to take place on the projected Bankside power-station ; the position of the Baltic States ; the troubles of the housewife ; the call-up of apprentices ; and domestic boiler-fuel. This mixed bag brought into action no fewer than six Ministers of the Crown in as many hours.
The assault was led' by Mr. Wilson Harris. His target was the Bankside Power Station and, consequently, its Ministerial defender, Mr. Silkin. He set the tone for subsequent speeches with a plea at once forceful but moderate : "It is not," he said, "a conflict between good and evil ; it is a conflict—and such conflicts are often much more difficult—between good and better." Mr. Wilson Harris was supported by Mr. Skeffing-ton-Lodge, who made the claim—which is apparently a rare enough circumstance to justify recording in the case of Government supporters—that this was the first occasion on which he had felt obliged to challenge and oppose a decision taken by the Government at Cabinet level. Having made this de- parture from precedent, he proceeded to justify it in an attractive and persuasive speech. On the same side were Mr. Henry Strauss, arguing against the project on its planning merits, or demerits ; Mr. Bossom who added a new fear by his suggestion that the fumes from the power-station hanging in the damp air might harm the surface of St. Paul's and give it a spotty appearance ; Mr. Gibson, who shares with Mr. Silkin membership of tho Socialist Party and a distinguished career on the L.C.C., but not enthusiasm for the Bankside power- station ; and Mr. Bracken, who delivered himseli of the character- istically robust assertion that our home-bred vandals have done much more harm to London than the Luftwaffe. Against all these Mr. Silkin could muster in his defence only Dr. Jeger and Mr. Braddock, of whom Mr. Bracken rather unkindly suggested that he wants to beautify London by building bigger and better chimneys.
From Bankside to the Baltic is a far cry, but Professor Savory had as eloquent assistance in defending the one as Mr. Wilson Harris in defending the other. The Professor's speech was perhaps too long for a day of rationed time, but it was factual, historically expert, and at times moving. He was supported by Mr. Hollis in a concise argument against any de jure recognition of Russian annexation of the Baltic States, and by Sir Patrick Hannon in a short but eloquent speech. On the other side Mr. Julius Silverman spoke confidently and fluently, but should beware of giving the impression of super- ciliousness which the House always resents. Mr. Mayhew's reply for the Government was, in his own words, an "uncoloured and unvarnished history." It was, however, largely an argument from expediency ; and British Ministers are not comfortable in making such arguments, nor the House of Commons in listening to them.
When Mr. Callaghan speaks to the House on matters of finance, he Speaks as one having authority and not as the scribes. Last Friday, however, he acted as an interpreter of the difficulties of house- wives, and played his part becomingly and well. He had the com- pliment of a Ministerial duet in reply from Dr. Summerskill and Mr. Belcher. The former spoke with cool competence, though per- haps with just the smallest suggestion of superiority. Mr. Belcher brought to the despatch-box the atmosphere of realism and humanity in which he carries out his official duties. Incidentally he offered his twin pram to any Member anticipating twins, which, as Mr. Skinnard remarked, was an incentive to production. Finally, a word of praise is due to Major Legge-Bourke for sacrificing his own adjournment subject to allow the House a longer discussion on the Baltic States. Such graceful acts are as.welconie in the House as out of it, and Major Legge-Bourke can well reflect that they also serve who only stand and sacrifice. D. C. W.-S.
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