25 JULY 1931, Page 2

Parliament On Thursday, July 16th, the Upper House concluded the

Report Stage of the Franchise Bill. For the Govern- ment Lord Passfield said that they would not accept in the House of Commons the drastic amendments made. The Lower House discussed the estimates for education amounting to over £48 millions, or £3 millions more than last year. The President of the Board was enthusiastic over the changes wrought in the children over 11 since the recommendations of the Hadow Report had been put into operation. We agree with him in putting a very high value on the work done in the new "Central " schools. Mr. Lees-Smith went on to say that the Board wants now to deal with the children under five. He had the good sense to admit that im- perative economy might hinder developments for a time. On Friday, the 17th, the Commons returned to the Rural Housing Bill, which was read the third time without a division, and Mr. Greenwood announced that Sir Tudor Walters would be Chairman of the working Committee to be set up under the Bill. The House warmly approved.