The Week in Parliament
THE House was impressed- by Mr. Neville Chamberlaires account of the work of his Depart- ment last week. He is precise, unemotional; and the clearest speaker on either side. Gradually those members of the Labour Party who have hitherto regarded him as harsh and unsympathetic, and who still differ from him violently on certain aspects of his policy, are beginning to realize that such great technical knowledge and able administration can only be born of enthusiasm. That Mr. Chamberlain is an enthusiast was clearly revealed in the course -of his very remarkable speech, although at no period did he permit himself to indulge in rhetoric or artificially to colour any of the information he desired to give -the House.
The- reception accorded to this speech augurs well for the future. For upon the shoulders of the Minister of Health and his admirable lieutenant, Sir Kingsley Wood,- will fall the brunt of the autumn legislation in connexion with the rating proposals of the Government.
The general scheme announced by Mr. Churchill continues to be favourably regarded, both in the House and in the country, and, as one member observed to me, " improves upon acquaintance." Mr. Lloyd George's _ voice now cries- in the wilderness, and his criticisms at Reading last week were so wild that he is presumably anxious about the electoral effect of the Budget. He may well be. - - Sir -Laming -Worthington-Evans's handling of the Currency Note Bill has won unstinted admiration. The House debated this highly technical measure with considerable knowledge and ability, and more than one speech is worthy of the attention of -financiers and econo- mists outside.- For this a tribute -is due to four Labour members who came to be known in Conservative circles as " the stage army "--Mr. Dalton, Mr. Lees Smith, Mr. Pethick Lawrence,' and Mr.- Gillett. They were indefatigable, well infornied, provocative of argu- ment rather than ire, and obviously in earnest.
From the Conservative benches Mr. Oliver Stanley, who is too seldom heard these days; contributed one of his best efforts. His speech, as usual, was carefully reasoned and extremely well phrased, and his' delivery more forceful than it used to be. The Bill passed without substantial amendment. It is to be hoped that the Bank of England means what it says about Clause 8, and will not confine its use to periods of crisis. if it does the Bill marks a further, definite advance along the difficult and weary road to price stabilization. But the last word has not, alas1- been said on the subject- of currency.
The Savidge cast has attracted so much public attention that it is only, necessary here. to comment on the good taste shown by Mr. Johnston when he raised it in a packed. House. It might have been nasty for the Govern- ment. It has, in fact, been mercifully removed from the arena of party _politics. And for this the' Home Secretary is largely responsible. After a weary spell of cables, prisons, West Highland communications, and education in the =Lower House, it was gratifying to hear Lord Birkenhead in superb form on the Franchise Bill. The gallery was packed with members of Parliament, all bemoaning the loss to the Commons occasioned by his
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