It was a pity that Mr. Lloyd George did not
use the opportunity of the debate on the Special Areas to develop his New Deal. But his motive for silence was wholly creditable. He felt that a speech from him would have to be a long one and that it would shut out some members from the derelict districts who had an obvious right in this debate to make their contribution. But it certainly was an occasion for a full-blooded attack on the Govern,- rent. Seldom in this Parliament can a Cabinet Minister have made a less effective speech than did Mr. Ernest Brown on his first appearance as Minister of Labour. He had been put up to " stone-wall " and he is the worst man for such a task. His whole style of speech is the .embodiment of aggression and in defence he appeared long-winded, pretentious and obscure. For his failure the Cabinet must bear a share of the blame for having made it necessary to go into action without any ammuni- tion. It was painfully clear after the first five minutes of his speech that the Government had not made up its mind on any of the recommendations of the Commissioners, and that in fact he had no policy to propound.
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