In the Commons on Monday the Board of Pensions Bill
was se severely criticized that the Government agreed to remodel it in accordance with the wishes of the House. Mr. Hogge moved an amendment (it was only one of many on the paper to the same effect) to set up a single centralized pension scheme under a Pensions Minister. This Ministry would supersede the Chelsea Commissioners, the Army Council, the Admiralty, and the Statutory Board. It would not be useful to comment further on the subject till we see the remodelled Bill. In one sense we must say that the highly critical faculty which the House displayed was a good sign, for the danger of a Coalition Government is notoriously the absence of criticism. There is no reason why a Coalition Government should regard even the most drastic kind of criticism as synonymous with " want of confidence." On the other hand, there are matters on which a wise and determined Government cannot possibly give way. Each case must be judged on its merits. After all, Members of Parliament know perfectly well when an Opposition is out to wreck' the Govern- ment and when it is out to guide them into wiser courses. It is for patriotic: men to decide on the spot whether they mean to stand in with wreckers or not.
Previous page
