Death of a Leper
Mr. Herbert Bowden, winding up the debate on the Queen's Speech, made an oblique reference to Mr. Wilson's crude assault on the new Mem- ber for Smethwick. I suppose it comes as near to an apology as the House of Commons will ever get from Mr. Wilson on this or any other subject. But the reference took the form of repeating part of the original offence. The most careful and diligent search having failed to reveal anything usefully usable against the Member for Smeth- wick, another new Member (Dr. Davies of Perry Barr) was dragged in by association. The rate'of immigration before and after the Commonwealth Immigrants Act is, of course, known. It is easy to calculate what the increase would have been if Labour's announced policy at the time had been in operation. It is neither more nor less valid than any of the hypothetical statistical calculations made by every candidate, and it is quite mon- strous that a man of the ability and integrity of Dr. Davies should be attacked by the Leader of the House before he has even made a maiden speech. Besides, what does all this prove? The fi e rc e s t opponent of large-scale immigration into this country was Norman Pannell, the Tory Mem- ber for Liverpool (Kirkdale) in the last Parlia- ment. He didn't win: he was beaten.
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