There is appearing on the Front Bench more grip, and
this is undoubtedly due to the presence of a leader in its midst. But criticism, informed, acute and constructive, is much needed. Two days out of three we have had Secret Sessions ; these must not be overdone because, unless speeches are re- corded and the Press can overhear, criticism has only a limited function. A Minister may be tripped up at question time, but a reasoned case cannot be stated. One of the most stalwart snipers is the Member for Ipswich, Mr. Stokes, who has strong views on money, land-taxation, Arabs and engineering. He picked off the Minister for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, who un- wisely defended the purchase of some bog-land in Scotland for the price of some &boo°. A number of Members are sniping at the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and even if he is reinforced by Lord Catto and Mr. Keynes, he must remember that the House of Commons prefers reasons to platitudes.
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