The task of moving the humble Address is not an
easy one. Yet, as Mr. Attlee pointed out, it is every year carried out with distinction. Mr. Hely-Hutchinson, who came in last year for Hastings and who had previously confined himself to somewhat weighty contributions on budgetary policy, revealed a hitherto unsuspected gift of light humour. Mr. Markham was not quite so successful in his endeavour to apply transatlantic idioms to the procedure of the House of Commons. However, he wound up by professing his con- fidence in the continuance of our national greatness, a belief in which he was fortified by the recent achievements of British airmen and footballers. The ensuing debate continued much longer than is usual on the first day. After the leaders of the Opposition Parties had pointed out the principal omissions in the King's Speech and the Prime Minister had, in a some- what minatory fashion, expressed the hope that Mr. Attlee would not trail his coat too conspicuously, a large number of back-benchers proceeded to ride their various hobby-horses. The best speech of the evening came from Mr. Boothby, who is anxious to see some form of administrative machinery set up to deal with supply and the civilian side of national service.
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