Motion Of Confidence For Devaluation Debate

Chronicle (Levin), 27 September 1949, Page 5

Motion Of Confidence For Devaluation Debate

( N.Z.P.A, -

-Reuter.

Copvright)

Received Tuesday, 9.35 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 26. 'The Government this afternoon tabled a surprisingly long motion of confidence, whieh will be moved by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stafford Cripps, when he opens the devaluation debate in the House of Commons tomorrow. The motion reads: "That this House approves the action taken by the Government in relation to the exchange value of the pound, supports the measures agreed upon at Washington by the Ministers of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, whieh are designed to assist in restoring equilibrium in the sterling-dollar balanc.e of I trade for the purpose of enabling | the economy of the sterling area to maintain its stability independent of external aid, and calls upon the people for their full co-opera-tion with the Government in achieving this aim while maintain - ing 'full employment and safeguarding the social service." Reuter says the Government believes that it will be most difficult for members to vote against the motion as it stands, and that their only way of opposing it would be to put down a reasoned amendment. It is substantially a motion of confidence as it asks the House to give its support to Government policy. The latter part of the motion is ingenious as it places any member in the awkward position of aopearing to vote against full employment and social services if he opposes the motion. Urgent Summons. Socialist members of Parliament have received a three-line whip for each of the three days of the special sitting of Parliament whieh ooens tomorrow, says the Daily Express. It is usual to issue this, the most urgent summons, only for the day on whieh a division is expected. A triole whip is regarded as a sisn of Cabinet's nervousness over the debate on devalution of the steri linff. , I The demand for a full attend- ' ance is presumablv a precaution . against a "snap" division This ' could be broueht about by the sudi den end of the debate when the motion under discussion would automatically have to he put to the vote.