3 MARCH 1939, Page 3

Tuesday, when the debate on the recognition question was continued,

was a day in the best Parliamentary tradition, and for the first time for some weeks Members went into the Lobbies after listening to two winding-up speeches that were effective both in oratory and argument. Mr. Herbert Morrison and Sir Thomas Inskip have seldom, if ever, spoken better. Mr. Morrison showed, as he has before, that County Hall's gain is Parliament's loss. One wonders if he is fully appreciated by his own side ; he has a sense of humour, which so many of his own colleagues seem to lack. The new Dominions Secretary confounded those who, hearing that he was going to speak, had prepared themselves for a ponderous half-hour. In the debate, the Franco champions ungallantly had their crow ; and Colonel Wedgwood, bitter, scornful and sorrowful, alone answered them to their dis- advantage. Sir Archibald Sinclair always suffers from having to speak third, and only a small House heard a speech not quite up to his consistently high standard. The Prime Minister's manner was better than his matter, though he played the " realist " card well. He wisely, though per- haps unexpectedly, ignored Mr. Attlee's vitriolic attack upon his honour. His supporters, who had come with their minds made up, were delighted by his sobriety ; and after Mr. Eden had declared his support for the Government, it was plain there would be no cross-voting.