In the House of Commons on Thursday, after the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer had announced that the House would adjourn next Tuesday or Wednesday until Tuesday, November 15th, a long discussion took place on the Com- mittee stage of the Declaration Bill. An attempt was made by the more militant section of those opposed to the changes made in the Declaration to prevent the passing of the Bill before the House adjourned for the holidays. Mr. Birrell, however, on the part of the Government insisted that the fact that the second reading was carried by more than 400 votes entitled the Government to proceed with the matter without delay. The result was that when the Closure was moved by Mr. Rnnciman on the Motion to report progress, it was carried by 255 votes to 142, while the actual Motion to report progress was carried by a majority of 141. The first clause of the B111 was passed by 340 votes against 60. Finally, the amended form of Declaration was carried by a majority of 190 (244-54), and the Bill was then reported to the House. Its passage into law is thus finally secured. All men who detest the notion of offering insults to those of religious convictions will feel a sense of deep satisfaction that the Declaration has been amended in a way which deprives it of its insulting character.
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