11 OCTOBER 1924, Page 1

Mr. Baldwin said that his views had been mo4ified by

the debate and that he would support the Liberal amend- ment for an inquiry. This was certainly the right course, indeed the indispensable course. We can understand why the Government objected to the Select Committee originally proposed. But why object to any inquiry ? The objection was indefensible and almost unintelligible. In vain Mr. Asquith said that he would modify his Committee in any way to meet the Government's wishes. The Prime Minister obstinately held to his view that any inquiry was a kind of insult. Mr. Asquith's speech was truly admirable in spirit and manner. He displayed a generous willingness to refrain from taking the Govern- ment at any disadvantage. Here was a perfect case of" treating the Government fairly." Mr. J. H. Thomas, who was rumoured to be strongly in favour of accepting some form of inquiry, made a fighting speech with no heart in it. Sir Robert Home's motion of general censure was defeated by 161 votes (859 to 198). The Liberal amendment to appoint a Select Committee was then carried by 364 votes to 198—a majority of 166. When we write on Thursday the expectation is that Mr. MacDonald will at once advise the. King to dissolve Parliament. November 8th is spoken of as a probable date for the General Election.