STATEMENT WANTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 July 1940, Page 6

STATEMENT WANTED

FROM BRITISH PRIME MINISTER PROMISED AT EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE. QUESTION OF FRENCH NAVY. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.48 a.m.) LONDON, July 2. The Lord Privy Seal (Mr C. R. Attlee) informed the House of Commons that it was impossible to indicate the date when the Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill) would be in a position to make a full statement on the war situation. It might not be this week, but Mr Churchill was most anxious to give the House all possible information and would do so as soon as it was practicable and advisable in the public interest. Mr Attlee was pressed by Mr Lees Smith and others on the importance ol an early statement. He reiterated the Premier's desire to keep the House and the country informed. He understood that there was a desire that the statement. when it was made, should bo followed by a debate, and it would be for decision at that time whether such subsequent debate should be in public

or in secret session. Replying to a question on the French Naw, Mr Attlee said the Government was'fully alive to the importance of encouraging and assisting to the utmost all French forces able and willing to continue the struggle against Germany and Italy. The Government was devoting urgent attention to the matter.