On Monday the Prime Minister moved the time table for
the Bill. He admitted that for six years the guillotine had not been used, but the choice now was between the prevention of obstruction and the destruction of Parlia- mentary vitality by a succession of all night sittings. After all, the Liberal Governments between 1906 and 916, which had contained members of the Labour Party, had often used the guillotine. At the present rate of progress Clause 1 of the Bill would occupy the whole time of Parliament till September. Obviously something must be done to hasten matters. According to the Government's programme Parliament would be prorogued early in August and a new session would begin in November. Twenty-one days would be provided for the Trade Unions Bill of eight clauses. That-was " ample for genuine architects and vexatious only to demolition- ists." This reasonable apologia made no impression upon Mr. Clynes, who denounced the Government and then led his Party out of the House. It was rumoured that this movement—prearranged of course—was suggested not by the left wing but by the moderates who feared disorderly explosions in the House. Whatever the truth may be, the General Council of the Trade Union Congress frowned upon this Parliamentary strike on the ground that though it was no doubt legal it was not wise.
