We say that Lord Beaverbrook is peculiarly entitled to speak
because during the last phases of the War he was the Minister whose duty it was to obtain information on all subjects. He cannot, therefore, be treated now as a mere rumour-monger. The Government may have a perfectly satisfactory answer and may be able to demolish Lord Beaverbrook. If so let them do it. Parliament ought to insist upon their giving their answer what- ever it may be. There should be no dissolution before this duty has been performed. To clear themselves the Government must prove that Sir Basil Zaharoff never influenced them, or, to be more particular, that he never influenced the Prime Min- ister. If they cannot prove that (which is a very easy thing to prove if it is true) they cannot possibly expect the confidence which the nation ought to be able to repose in them.
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