The Commons had a dull week. They put through Mr.
Elliot's Beef Bill without much demur, and extracted some help for herring fishermen from the Government. Otherwise, the chief debate was a very general appeal on Wednesday, headed by the fiery Mr. Lawson, that the Government should publish the substance of the reports of the special Commissioners sent to the derelict areas and should take action. Mr. Lawson himself seemed chiefly distressed by an alleged discrimination in County Durham in the matter of a lower dole ; but Mr. Macmillan touched a larger issue by pointing out that the derelict areas were the shipwreck of an old economic system, and could be rescued only by general policy. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay also, though he is inclined to speak too often, produced during the debate some most interesting speculations. Mr. Stanley made a favourable impression by his first considerable speech as Minister of Labour, but the House was left with the impression that though the Government may try a few more local palliatives, the derelict areas ivill, as Mr. Macmillan said, have to rely mainly on the development of general policy.
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