4 JULY 1925, Page 10

On Tuesday and Wednesday the House of Commons went into

Committee to 'discuss the new Pensions Bill. A good deal of 'acrimony was aroused, if it was not simu- lated, among the speakers of the Labour Party upon the main principle that the scheme should be contributory. Their amendinent was rejected by 266 votes 'to' 131. Tuesday's session in the Upper House was made the Occasion for Lord 'Balfour to explain at Lord -Haldane's request the new Committee of Civil Research. He regarded it as analogous to the Committee of Imperial Defence, as though 'that Collimate& were bekiting its swords into ploiighshares. It would have no executive power except through'. the Cabinet.-- On Wednesday Ile vigorously defended the' Government's proposals for the extensions at Singapore.