29 JULY 1938, Page 3

The custom of dividing the House on the outstanding Supply

votes was originated by the Conservative Opposition before the War. For several years now Opposition parties have refrained from demanding a division on every single vote and contented themselves with selecting a few for chal- lenge. This year the Labour Party decided to refrain from voting entirely. The Liberals were not likely to miss such an opportunity for asserting their independence, and proceeded to march their fourteen available supporters into the lobby against the Votes for the Foreign Office, Ministry of Labour and Board of Trade. This defiant gesture is regarded with approval by many Government supporters, who feel that they themselves may one day be sitting on the left hand of Mr. Speaker and do not want the right of an Opposition to oppose to be lightly compromised.