A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
TT seems a pity that the Inter-Parliamentary Union has never somehow found its feet in this country. The Union has just been holding its 33rd annual conference in Paris, though I noticed no mention of the fact in any English paper. The list of delegates is instructive. From the United States came seven Senators, including the Democratic leader in that Chamber, and seven Congressmen ; from France a delegation of 48, all but one of them Senators or Deputies ; from Belgium 13 Senators and 8 Deputies ; from Great Britain 12 Members of the House of Commons, for none of whom could eminence be claimed, while some of the names, I have to confess, break for the first time on my vision. Now, it is quite true that the Inter-Parliamentary Union can do nothing but talk. Its purpose is to establish personal con- tacts between members of European and other Parliaments (Canada, Egypt and Turkey were represented, as well as the United States) and that surely is worth while in these days. If the political ideas this country stands for are worth any- thing they are worth discussing and defending in such a gathering as this. The Inter-Parliamentary Union may be of limited importance, but if a British delegation goes to it at all it ought to be a delegation equal in weight and influence to any other at the Conference. The party Whips might well invite one or two active M.P.'s to work the thing up before next year.
Previous page
