A motion in favour of Scottish Home Rule was introduced
on Wednesday by Dr. Chapple, who declared that if a measure similar to the Irish Bill were denied to Scotland "such a wave of indignation would spread over the latter country as would shake every Liberal seat to its foundation." Mr. McKinnon Wood (the new Secretary for Scotland) gave the motion his support. The argument for devolution was based not merely on local but upon Imperial interests ; for the fact that the Imperial Parliament was overburdened was one of the strongest arguments for devolution. "The Scottish people," added Mr. McKinnon Wood ironically, "being emi- nently reasonable, were prepared to give England self-govern- ment also." Mr. Bonar Law poured scorn on the suggestion that there was any popular demand for this change in Scotland. In Scotland Home Rule was a purely hothouse grievance. After inquiring how Scotland could possibly gain by it, be remarked that the only reason that the majority of Scottish members supported it was that the Liberal Party pretended at this moment to be in favour of it. The resolution was carried by a majority of 98 (226-128).
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