19 FEBRUARY 1921, Page 1

Mx, Asquith opened the debate on the Address by asking

a number of questions about matters omitted from the Speech. Mr. Thomas, on behalf of the Labour Party, expressed a desire for -economy, not by saving " the few hundreds of thousands that were being spent on social ref orm and education," but by saving " the many millions that were being wasted on arma- ments and military expeditions." Mr. Thomas is sadly misinformed about the cost of " social reform " which far exceeds that of the Services. Mr. Thomas denounced the shooting of some railwaymen at Mallow, and also condemned the murder of Mrs. King which led to the affray. He gave the railwaymen's version of the affair and asked for a " free, impartial, and independent inquiry."