The Week in Parliament
Our Parliamentary correspondent writes : All this week Members of Parliament have possessed their souls in the most exemplary patience. Like the public outside they have been thirsting for news. But there has been not the slightest attempt to press the responsible Ministers for more informa- tion than they feel inclined to give. Everyone realises that a great battle cannot be discussed while it is actually going on. It is an interesting example of the working of the Parlia- mentary machine, and it provides a complete answer to those ill-informed critics who suppose that back-benchers at West- minster spend their time in hampering and embarrassing the Executive at supremely critical moments. Nothing, of course, could be further from the reality. The House of Commons sometimes endeavours to lay down broad principles in advance of action. After the issue is decided it almost invariably scrutinises what has been done and the manner of the performance. But it very rarely interferes in the actual conduct of operations, whether military or diplomatic. So the proceedings on Tuesday and Wednesday were seemingly calm and it was only outside the Chamber that the prevailing excitement revealed itself. And even in the lobbies the need for patience was fully recognised.
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