12 MARCH 1937, Page 3

In the past three years there have been several protests

against the detail with which Money Resolutions are drawn. Once such a resolution is passed no amendment which is inconsistent with its terms may be moved to the Bill which follows. Moreover, since the resolution comes to the House as a King's recommendation, the resolution itself cannot be altered so as to change the purposes for which the expenditure is designed or, generally speaking, the methods by which it is to be administered. The old pro- cedure, which prevailed until 1922 and to which Mr. Attlee wished to revert, allowed much greater latitude. It certainly appeared to most members that the Money Resolution on Special Areas, which gave rise to the discussion, was drawn with unnecessary particularity. In consequence the Govern- ment was faced with a formidable combination of repre- sentatives of the areas involved and champions of the rights of the House of Commons.