The Week in Parliament THERE was an amusing debate last
Friday in the House of Commons on Mr. Mitchell Banks' Bill Prevent financial assistance reaching strikers in this "ntly from abroad. Mr. Banks speaks too little, r he has a witty and polished style coupled with an !calve delivery, although his speech on this occasion Tiered from rather too elaborate preparation. Sir aril Peto seconded with immense earnestness, and Park Goff breezily defended the measure. But it ffered rough treatment at the hands of Mr. Rose, very independent Labour member for Aberdeen, who. in his own words, and to the great regret of all members, " seldom troubles the House," and of Mr. Lloyd. Sir William Joynson Hicks, appearing not for the first time in the role of conciliator and Man of Moderation, consigned the Bill rather wistfully to perdition. But the closure was carried, and a division on the main question chal- lenged, in which the Die-hards mustered considerable if inadequate forces for the " Aye " lobby. The rest of the week has been occupied in dealing with Supplementary Estimates, of which there seem to be an unusually_ large number, and in smaking-room specula- tion as to the contents of the Trade Union Bill and the intentions of the Government with regard to Russia.
There is no doubt that Commander Locker-Lampson's campaign to " clear out the Reds;" prosecuted with all his usual ability and vigour, has had a considerable effect in the country, and members arc being inundated with postcards from irate constituents. It is difficult to estimate the extent to which the agitation is a purely political one, and whether it represents in any degree the considered views of industrialists, traders, or financiers. But there is a growing demand, especially amongst Unionist back-benchers, that the Government should clear up an obscure and rather dangerous situation by making an authoritative pronouncement as to the facts, its own intentions, and the reasons for them.
At the present time it is difficult to explain or to justify the policy of the Government on this question from the platform, owing to an almost total absence of that the Soviet Government itself should be fully and any reliable information. And it is felt to be desirable publicly acquainted with our reasons for complaint, and any action which in certain circumstances we might feel compelled to take.
Sir Austen Chamberlain had a cordial reception in nit quarters of the House when he made his statement on the Hankow settlement on Monday. His handling of an extremely delicate and complex problem over a eon. siderable period of time, and the skill and patience he has throughout displayed, have evoked widespread admiration. The trouble may not yet be over, but it is satisfactory to reflect that it is long since a Foreign Secretary enjoyed to such an extent the confidence of the House of Commons.
By his determination not to commit himself in any way upon what is, after all, a matter of vital national import mice, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald has done his party considerable disservice.
WATCHMAN.
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