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[^gJ^CUMENT I S THE PROPERTY OF H I S BRITANNIC M A J E S T Y S
1
j j ^ R S T.
GOVERNMENT).
Copy No.
C A B I N E T
45
(29) .
CONCLUSIONS o f a M e e t i n g o f t h e C a b i n e t h e l d
i n t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r ' s Room, H o u s e o f
C o m m o n s , o n WEDNESDAY, 3 0 t h O c t o b e r ,
1929, a t 4.15 p.m.
PRESENT:The R i g h t Hon.
P h i l i p Snowden, M . P . ,
C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r .
(Acting Prime M i n i s t e r ) .
line R i g h t H o n .
Arthur H e n d e r s o n , M . P . ,
Secretary of S t a t e f o r
Foreign A f f a i r s .
The R i g h t Hon.
J.H. Thomas, M.P.,
Lord Privy Seal.
Ilhe R i g h t H o n .
Lord P a s s f i e l d , S e c r e t a r y o f
State for Dominion A f f a i r s and
Secretary of S t a t e for the
Colonies.
The R i g h t Hon.
L o r d Parmoor of F r i e t h ,
\
K.C.V.O.,K.C., Lord President
of the Council.
fThe R i g h t H o n .
Lord S a n k e y , G . B . E . ,
Lord C h a n c e l l o r .
The R i g h t Hon.
J.R. Olynes, M.P., Secretary
o f S t a t e f o r Home A f f a i r s .
[The R i g h t H o n .
W. Wedgwood B e n n , D . S . O . ,
D.F.C.,M.P., Secretary
of S t a t e f o r I n d i a .
The R i g h t Hon.
Tom S h a w , C . B . E . . M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
War.
[Brig.-Gen. The R i g h t Hon.
Lord Thomson, C . B . E . , D . S . O . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
Air,
The R i g h t Hon.
A r t h u r Greenwood, M . P . ,
M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h .
[The R i g h t H o n .
Margaret Bondfield,
Minister of Labour.
The R i g h t Hon.
Noel Buxton^ M.P.,
M i n i s t e r of A g r i c u l t u r e
and F i s h e r i e s .
M.P.,
The R i g h t H o n .
Sir Charles Trevelyan,
M.P., P r e s i d e n t of the
Board of E d u c a t i o n .
Bt.,
The R i g h t Hon.
W i l l i a m Graham, M . P . ,
P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board
of Trade.
The R i g h t Hon.
W i l l i a m Adamson, M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
Scotland,
The R i g h t H o n .
A . V . A l e x a n d e r , M.P...,
F i r s t L o r d of t h e
Admiralty.'
The R i g h t Hon.
George Lansbury, M . P . ,
F i r s t Commissioner of
^orks.
S i r M.P.A.
Hankey,
G . C . B . , G.G.M.G
Secretary,
$ BRITISH
OAL INDUSTRY.
previous
Reference:
Cabinet 4 2
(29), Oon­
olusion 2 . )
1.
The C a b i n e t h a d
to
the
of
Trade
regard
attitude
should
to
the
A s s o c i a t i o n and
connection
President
the
of
Parliament
t o make a
\7hile
the President
adopt
i n t h e House
transmission
Cabinet were
that
Board
of
to
the
connected with the
that
it
officially
proceeding,
out,
would be
while
the
Cabinet
in
the
Mining
In
this
the
the
Cabinet
to
negotiations
and a c c o r d i n g l y
large
mining
a mistake
in
a
in
position
31st.
confidential
of p e r s o n s
o
Board
Commons
October
their
Q
regard
Trade had announced
which must have reached
leak
the
reminded t h a t
on T h u r s d a y ,
recognising that
in
Federation.
proposals,
felt
of
he w o u l d p r o b a b l y b e
statement
would p r o b a b l y
of
approved by the
the Miners'
the
discussion
which
policy
same m o r n i n g f o r
a short
9
a
numbers
industry,
nevertheless
announce
were
still
a g r e e d -—
T h a t t h e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B o a r d of'
T r a d e s h o u l d i n f o r m t h e House of
Commons t h a t n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h
b o t h p a r t i e s were s t i l l proceeding.
them
SALE OP ARMS
Aid AMMDNITION.
(Previous
Reference'.
Cabinet 42
(29), Con­
elusion 7.)
to
2.
The C a b i n e t
the
decision
reference
while
to
discussion
t h e y had
taken
the
sale
reaffirming
of
that
of war
private
stores
Governments.
same m o r n i n g
emphasised
it
sales
that
should
This,
to
was known t h a t
intended
for
in
and,
Governments.
to preclude
unless
so p u r c h a s e d were
regard
t h e War O f f i c e
foreign
intended
contractors
in
arms and ammunition,
decision,
any d e a l i n g s w i t h
however, was not
stores
short
the
in the disposal
avoid
had a
foreign
the
3 . The
the
Cabinet
Financial
CP.-276
Council
tion.
out
Secretary
(29))
subject
In this
the
operative,
to
t h e m a Memorandum b y
the
War O f f i c e
Conven-r­
Memorandum t h e Army C o u n c i l
pointed
of
would be
and t h a t
Invariably prefer
their
the
that
Convention,
Imports
outside
disclose
of war
given
to
publicity
the
Convention,
of v i t a l
by placing
to
In these
suoh
interests
but
also
to
of
country
our
rather
the
that
States
Lord
the
of
to
producing
give
the
itself
the
while
that
the
until
assuredo
Council
Government
assured
to
in
the
regard
ratify
inconsistent
Army C o u n c i l ,
supporting that
That no a c t i o n was
this
principal
announcement
by the
effective
Convention
by a l l
of t h e
safeguard
workpeople,
Convention was not
policy urged
Cabinet,
to
and our
has been
Cecil's
the intention
Arms T r a f f i c
than
only to
Convention
ratify
The L o r d P r e s i d e n t
Cabinet
not
trade
ratification
arms-producing
which
importance
t h e Army C o u n c i l u r g e d
should not
simultaneous
the
placing
transactions.
render
operation,
with
would
such orders w i t h
circumstances,
the
the
wide
avoid p u b l i c i t y by
S t a t e s which have bound themselves
to
material
non-producing States
information
themselves
In
when
orders with those producing States
remain
Army
Arms T r a f f i c
effect
of t h e
b y n o n - p r o d u c i n g S t a t e s w o u l d be
publicity
(Paper
c o v e r i n g a Memorandum b y t h e
on t h e
that
had before
policy,
necessary.
and
agreed
-
EDUCATION.
The V o l u n t a r y School Problem.
4. T h e C a b i n e t
by
the President
(Paper
(Reference
C a b i n e t 20
OP P . - 2 9 0
Voluntary
President
the
following
of
the
of
Problem.
the
them a
Board
( 2 9 ) ) on t h e
School
the
had before
of
Memorandum
Education
subject
In this
of
the
Memorandum
Board of E d u c a t i o n
reached
conclusion:-
I, therefore, propose to adhere
t o our p r e s e n t p o s i t i o n and t o r e p l y
t o a l l p r e s s u r e t h a t t h e Labour
Government a r e u n a b l e t o u n d e r t a k e
t o a l t e r t h e s e t t l e m e n t of 1 9 0 2
u n t i l the main p a r t i e s
interested
h a v e come t o s o m e s o r t o f a g r e e m e n t ,
and t h a t i t i s i m p o s s i b l e to s u g g e s t
a p a r t i a l a l t e r a t i o n of t h e e x i s t i n g
system u n l e s s the whole p o l i c y is
agreed upon;
that the experience
of t h e l a s t 2 5 y e a r s h a s f r e e d
e d u c a t i o n a l p r o g r e s s from t h e
b i t t e r n e s s of the r e l i g i o u s c o n t r o ­
v e r s y which marked t h e p r e c e d i n g
decade;
t h a t the dual system has
however caused great
difficulties
and complications for
educational
administrators, while i t has failed
t o satisfy the ardent denomlnation­
a l i s t s o r t h o s e who w a n t c o m p l e t e
public control;
that the situation
i s p e r h a p s o n e w h e r e t h e good s e n s e
and absence of r e l i g i o u s b i t t e r n e s s
of t h e p r e s e n t moment m i g h t l e a d t o
t h e e v o l v i n g o f some a g r e e d s o l u t i o n ;
and t h a t i f t h e Government were
approached by r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of
any of t h e main p a r t i e s c o n c e r n e d
t h e y would do t h e i r b e s t t o s e e
whether an a u t h o r i t a t i v e
national
conference could be brought together
i n the hopes of f i n d i n g a s o l u t i o n .
On t h e
would
understanding that
not be
definite
reopened
g^e-posals
except
f-rem t h e
the
1 9 0 2 settlement
on t h e
receipt
interested
of
parties,
The C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d t h e g e n e r a l
lines suggested by the President
of t h e Board of E d u c a t i o n .
a­
-
POLITICAL
SITUATION I N
INDIA.
(previous
Reference.
Cabinet 37
(29), Conoluslon 4 . )
5.
The Cabinet
gave consideration to a letter
from Mr Baldwin to the Acting Prime Minister
indicating that he w a s now opposed to the
statement of policy (which he had previously
approved) to be made b y the V i c e r o y on the morrow,
and asking that it should be postponed at any
rate until after the Prime Minister's return.
The new factor w h i c h had moved M r Baldwin, after
consultation with his colleagues, to reverse his
previous attitude and to make this request was
the opposition of Sir John Simon and his Commis­
sion w h i c h had developed subsequent to M r B a l d w i n s
agreement to the proposed
statement.
In the course of full explanations on the
subject the Secretary of State for India and the
A c t i n g Prime Minister read the correspondence
w i t h M r Baldwin and Sir John Simon, as w e l l as
the telegrams exchanged w i t h the Viceroy.
The Secretary of State for India undertook to
circulate for information a full account of the
somewhat complicated
circumstances, including
the text of the various documents, w h i c h
accord­
in gly are not reproduced in these Minutes.
The Cabinet felt that it would be
impossible
in the time available to make the Prime Minister
fully conversant b y cypher radiogram w i t h all
the circumstances of the case, and that
they
must themselves take the responsibility of a
decision.
Having regard to the strong view of the
V i c e r o y against any alteration in the statement
. and against any delay i n its publication
w h i c h would dislocate a political situation in
India w h i c h had b e e n carefully prepared,
the
Cabinet
agreed
—
(a)
T h a t t h e r e should be no a l t e r a t i o n
i n t h e programme a l r e a d y approved
a n d t h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
India should immediately notify the
Viceroy accordingly:
(b)
That t h e A c t i n g Prime M i n i s t e r
s h o u l d make s u c h c o m m u n i c a t i o n a s
h e deemed a d v i s a b l e t o Mr B a l d w i n
and S i r J o h n Simon t o i n t i m a t e t h a t
t h e Cabinet could not agree t o the
request for delay, which in ordinary
circumstances would have been a most
reasonable proposal:
(o)
To l e a v e i t t o t h e A c t i n g P r i m e
M i n i s t e r and t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
f o r I n d i a t o d e a l w i t h a r e q u e s t from
Mr B a l d w i n ( w h i c h w a s r e c e i v e d j u s t
a s t h e Cabinet was about t o d i s p e r s e )
t o have a copy f o r the use of h i s
c o l l e a g u e s and h i m s e l f of t h e t e l e g r a m which
was sent b y t h e A c t i n g Prime M i n i s t e r
and t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r I n d i a
to the Viceroy.
ED POLICY.
Previous
Reference:
1(29), C o n ­
fclusion
1(a).)
6.
The
Cabinet bad before
the
President
289
(29))
in
of
at
that
should
in defiance
Consumers'
for
the
that
it
to
of t h e
would be
Cabinet,
that
the
adoption
he were
of measures
refuse
Council
commodities
of
for
the
the
the
in
the
to
there will
necessary
for
of
time
in addition to
to
inform
the
views
to the
retail
for
policy
of p r i c e
by
the
inter­
the
of t h e
Council.
required
of
the
Parliament
consideration
Consum­
prices
for
This
would
the
consideration
t h e m a c h i n e r y t o be
c a r r y i n g out t h e
year,
dealing with trade
accept
to
suggested
on r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s
further
legisla­
next
Trade
if,
be
decision
until
authorised
regard
proposed
7
of
prices
already been approved
reviewed by the
details
obtaining
Cabinet s
Council
sufficient
Government b a s e d
give
of
Government have, u n d e r
ests which
ers'
the
Board
announcement which had
the
margin
interests
Assuming t h a t
a Consumers'
President
for
C. P . -
the
the
dealing with
introduoe
effect
in
of
in charging exoessive
Council.
give
(Paper
request
of recommendations
no o p p o r t u n i t y t o
establish
to the
Trade
submit proposals
which might p e r s i s t
to
of
the meeting mentioned
compulsory powers
tion
Board
response
Cabinet
he
the
t h e m a Memorandum b y
established
fixing.
The C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d t h e p r o p o s a l s
of t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board of
Trade.
6.
k POLICY.
I
Previous
Reference:
Satinet 3 9
129), C o n ­
llusion 1 ( a ) . )
The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e
the
President
289
(29))
Cabinet
that
in
at
of
the
response
he should
in defiance
Consumers'
the
for
give
it
for
margin
obtaining
interests
of
the
Assuming t h a t
to
a Consumers'
of t h e
would be
the
the
dealing with
introduce
effect
of
i n charging exoessive
Council.
President
that
( P a p e r C. P . ­
request
of recommendations
no o p p o r t u n i t y t o
establish
to the
Trade
submit proposals
which might p e r s i s t
to
of
the meeting mentioned in
compulsory powers
tion
Board
t h e m a Memorandum b y
the
the
sufficient
leglsla­
next
Cabinet,
that
the
adoption
he were
suggested,
in addition to
e s t s which refuse
Government b a s e d
ers'
Council
commodities
give the
of
for
authorised
Government h a v e u n d e r
of measures
in
to
for
to
inform
consideration
the
views of
on recommendations
regard
to
the
further
the d e t a i l s
time
required
This
Consum­
p o l i c y of p r i c e
for
the
would
consideration
o f t h e m a c h i n e r y t o be
c a r r y i n g out t h e
the
inter­
retail prices
for
by
the
of t h e
reviewed by the Council.
the
Parliament
dealing with trade
aocept
to
year,
announcement which had a l r e a d y been approved
the
be
decision
Trade
if,
will
necessary
Council u n t i l
of
proposed
there
Cabinet's
Board
prices
established
fixing.
The C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d t h e p r o p o s a l s
of t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board of
Trade.
THS MOTOR
VEHICLES
(UNAUTHORISED
USER) B I L L .
(Previous
Reference:
C a b i n e t 36
(29)
Con­
c l u s i o n 2 and
Appendix.)
?
7.
The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e
t h e Home S e c r e t a r y
Vehicles
(29))
t h e m a Memorandum b y
covering a draft
(Unauthorised
User)
Bill
Motor
(Paper
t o g e t h e r with t h e recommendations
Committee
o f Home A f f a i r s
Conclusions
(29),
thereon
Paragraph
In accordance with these
Cabinet
agreed
H.A.-27
of
(H.A.C.
the
10th
l).
recommendations
the
—
(a)
To a p p r o v e t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n f o r t h w i t h
i n t h e H o u s e o f Commons o f t h e M o t o r
Vehicles (Unauthorised User) B i l l
i n t h e form of t h e r e v i s e d d r a f t
annexed t o H . A . - 2 7 (29), s u b j e c t t o
any d r a f t i n g or o t h e r minor a i t e r a ­
t i o n s t h a t may b e f o u n d n e c e s s a r y
or desirable:
(b)
That the Attorney-General should
be invited to undertake the conduct
o f t h e B i l l i n t h e H o u s e o f Commons.
n or
Solicitor-General.
^LOYMENT
8 . The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e
SORANOE.
(Paper
previous
Reference:
Cabinet 4 0
(29), C o n ­
olusion 1 . )
C.P.-298
Chancellor
(29))
After
referred
summing up t h e
improve t h e
finance
in
ensure
order to
and t h e i r
the
of t h e
of t h e Exchequer
L a b o u r on p o i n t s
them a
decisions
effect;
after
Chancellor had agreed t h a t
Exchequer
in
should be
dated back to April
benefit
added
to
to
to the
on t h e
cost t o
that
stated
of
t h e E x c h e q u e r h a d come t o
he
could not
agree
Exchequer
charge
involved,
and t h a t
possible
to
provide
it
it
the
for
the
in
stated
giving general
that
difficulties
would t h e r e f o r e
later
occasion.
in
the
the
authority
House
is
the
not
of
that
the
sums
not
of
the
which
accepted*
proposed
to
t r a i n i n g and removal expenses would add
the
the
Chancellor
a view
of Labour r e l u c t a n t l y
clause
to
after
large
reduction
days —
further
of
conclusion
was a c c o r d i n g l y
The R e p o r t
for
that
he
had
and
though
and above t h e
waiting period to three
the Minister
scales
of which
the
the
benefit
the
to any i n c r e a s e
over
on
approach near to
statutory limit (£40,000,000)
to'reach it,
Report
that
end of t h e w i n t e r
Fund m i g h t w e l l
likely actuall^the
charge
the Exchequer;
by the
benefit,
1929,and that
improve
young p e r s o n s , both
p o i n t i n g out
debt
to agree
Fund
of
of t r a n s i t i o n a l
1,
to
stating
the
of
Cabinet.
already taken
continued payment
respect
the
them by the
of t h e Unemployment
financial
was p r e p a r e d
of
and t h e M i n i s t e r
to
steps
Memorandum
provide
greatly
Commons
have t o be postponed u n t i l
and
a
The M i n i s t e r
of L a b o u r i n t i m a t e d
he necessary for her t o ask for
of t h e
Cabinet
on Monday n e x t
of t h e Unemployment
a s k e d t o make a n e f f o r t
time
for
consideration
arranged
for
Friday
to
at
for
1924, by the
explaining to
additional
the
alter
Whitehall. Gardens,
October
30,
the reduction
of
his
S. W. 1 ,
1929.
days would b e
Liberal
in
as
it
Cabinet
of
financial
burden,
extent
the
more p a r t i c u l a r l y
Insurance, which
had a l r e a d y assumed,
decision.
had
Opposition.
after
the
very
Parliament
of t h e Exchequer,
c o n n e c t i o n w i t h Unemployment
Government
in
already
of
hand might be f o r c e d ,
The C h a n c e l l o r
Bill
failure
own s u p p o r t e r s
been in
three
the
unwelcome
their
she was
the
the Meeting
to
and t h a t
but
circulate
the waiting period
their
Meeting
afternoon.
Government t o p r o v i d e
to
might
consideration
Bill,
The C a b i n e t w e r e w a r n e d t h a t
the
it
a Special
for
Insurance
that
was u n a b l e
to
in
the