It is not surprising that the question what effect the
Tribunal and what lies behind it is likely to have on Labour's electoral pros- pects is being much discussed. It can clearly not be answered till the findings of the Tribunal are published. But one thing can be said. The Prime Minister made it unequivocally clear from the outset that the enquiry would be searching and exhaustive, with no tolerance of any attempt at white-washing, and the Attorney-General in his direction of the enquiry for the Government has seen to it that that promise is fulfilled to the letter. There is this moreover, to be con- sidered. The majority of the members of the present administration, including all the under-secretaries, are new to office. Many of them have been brought into close contact for the first time with circles where money flows freely on a substantial scale, and many of them have been in a position to grant favours of one kind and another that are eagerly sought. Against how many of them has any shadow of official impropriety been charged ? It is no part of my business to defend them as members of a Labour administration, but the. honour of a British Government of whatever political colour is some- thing to be cherished jealously. It is important therefore to keep due proportion, and weigh against the few whose conduct has rightly or wrongly been called in question the many on whom no cloud even
of unconfirmed suspicion rests. * * * *
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