"Monty" Defended In Commons

Chronicle (Levin), 23 April 1948, Page 5

"Monty" Defended In Commons

• IiOcoivcd Tliursdav, 7 p.m. LOXDOX, April 21. Field Marshal Lord Alontgonierv's receiit coiuiiient on his "friendly dinner" with .Marshal Sokolovsky in Ileriin was defended in the House of Fonimons by the .Minister of War (Mr. iShiuw ell). Wlien the Minister of War was asked liy a ( 'onservative, Mr. A. V. ilartey, wlien he had auth-orised Lord Montgoniery 's statement, .Mr. Shinwell repliel that he understood that it was an inipi oniptu reiuark made to report- 1 ers, "and, naturully, I wasn 't consulted ut tliat tiine. " Mr, llarvey said that as the statement was made two or three days afte»Ihe Bcrhn air disaster, would it Jiot Jiave been better for the Field Marshal to ha ve said nothing? Would the Min- " isler eonsider asking the Field Marshal to wcigh his wotds very earel'ully before he made statements to the Press Mr. Shinwell: There was nolhing ii: the Field Marshal 's statement whicii eould be regarded as objeetionable. J, was quite a friendly statement, and tis I happened to liave read it, I endorse it. Mr. F. Ilnyfhes (South Ayrshire, Labour): As this was a friendly nieet iitg at a time of qreat internationa ' lension, will the Minister eneourage ' geuerals to have further friendly meet ings? (('ries of "Xo". j Mr. llarvey: I think the impression given was that evervthing was perfeet l.v all right, whereas, in faet, it wanot, and (ienenil Koberlson was left beliind in l.erlin to clear up ihe mess. Mr. Shinwell: Vou seein to imagiu that soine serious stalonicjit was made This was wliat was said: "It was a very good dinner, and exeelleut com piiny. I had a long talk alone after titi dinner with Marshal Sokolovsky. 1 nie: evei vbodv., It was most friendly, Wh should ii not be friendly F' And nou I add: " Why not ?"