The Week in Parliament F OR most of the week the
Scotsmen have been left to discuss their own troubles. But on Monday a nice little breeze blew up over the non-ratification of the Washington Convention on hours of labour. Lord Henry Bentinek, Lady Astor, Major Hills, and Captain Macmillan led a vigorous. attack on the Minister of Labour, • supported at intervals by delighted members of the Labour Party. Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland visibly wilted, and became increasingly uncomfortable as the debate progressed. His reply meant nothing, as it was obviously intended to do, and satisfied no one. In the division many Unionists abstained: So it looks as if we might ratify the Convention after all. Lobby gossip has been confined to the domestic difficulties of the Labour Party and the exchange of Notes with the Soviet Government. Once the principle had been established that a Labour member who differs publicly from Mr. Cook is thrown out of the party. there was not much hope for Mr. Haden Guest. The treatment meted out to Mr. Spencer astonished even those members of the Unionist Party who regard the Official Opposition as past praying for. There seems to have been no available " gaffe " which has not been committed by the•Labour Party since the Session began. Each question they touch, they mishandle, and -.Mr. MacDonald looks more harrassed every day.
Amongst Unionists there is a decided reaction against the demand for an immediate break with Russia. It is felt that such a step could do no_ good, and might have an unsettling effect in Europe, and upon any trade we are now doing. The Note sent to Moscow, and the (inevitably) impertinent reply to it, are both regretted, as it is felt they serve no useful purpose. So far as Communism in this country is concerned, the Home Secretary has only to come down to the House and ask for increased powers to deal with it, if he wants them.
Apart from these questions there is no topic of particular interest just now. A note of optimism prevails amongst Unionist back benchers, for which there is considerable justification, owing to the rapidly improving trade and unemployment figures, and the encouraging reports as to the amount of revenue coming into the Treasury. But the House itself is very dull, and likely to remain so until after the introduction of the Budget. Sir Archibald Sinclair comes to ask a daily question about Erribol sheep, but apart from him very few Liberals turn up these days. In the Labour Party Mr. Toni Johnston pegs away and a few of the others ask questions, but Mr. Mosley seems to have fizzled out already. Perhaps they are conserving themselves for a great effort later on. It is to be hoped so, for sonic sort of opposition makes Parliament more interesting.
WATCH M AN.
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