15 JULY 1911, Page 3

The Report Stage of the Parliament Bill was concluded in

the Lords on Thursday night. After Lord Courtney's attempt to induce the Lords to accept the Speaker's decision as to Money Bills had been defeated, Lord Cromer moved words to alter his amendment. Lord Morley opposed on the ground that the new amendment was wider than the one originally proposed. After Lord Balfour had pointed out that the amendment was intended to prevent the invasion of the just rights of the House, Lord Lansdowne put once more the un- answerable arguments in favour of making strict provision against the Lords being deprived of all legislative power by stamping ordinary Bills as Money Bills. In the end Lord Cromer's amendment was agreed to. Lord Newton's amendment was next discussed. Since, however, Lord Morley refused to accept it and Lord Lansdowne expressed his reluctance to add to the amendments already made, Lord Newton withdrew it—a result which we cannot help thinking is to be very much regretted.

• In our opinion Lord Lansdowne was mistaken in sup- posing that the result of Lord Newton's amendment would be to tie the hands of the Lords in regard to repeal. The amendment only operates in eases where the two Houses are at odds. It would not and could not prevent the repeal of the measure or any part of it, since such repeal would take place under normal legislative conditions, and would not be affected by the provisions of the Parliament Bill.