The sittings of the House of Commons on Friday week
and Monday were devoted to various stages of the Appropriation Bill and the Finance Bill. There was little of interest in the discussions themselves, but the occasions were remarkable for the lowness of the Government's majorities. On Friday a motion for the suspension of the five o'clock rule was carried by only 26 in a House of 408 members. Sixty-four Irish members are stated to have supported the Government on this occasion. Even more disappointing to the Liberal Whips must have been the fact that on Monday night the third reading of the Appropriation Bill was only carried by 29 votes (191 to 162). This time also the low margin was due to the absence of Liberal members. It is generally believed that if the Government had been defeated on this measure it would have had no option but to resign.
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