Lady Astor

Lady Aster's bill prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquor to youths under the age of 18 for consumption on the premises where it was sold, passed its second reading by a majority of 282 votes. This is the first legislation proposed by a woman.

The Home Secretary has stated that he cannot undertake to see the bill through committee and a third reading owing to the pressure of business. It seems likely, therefore that the measure will be shelved.

The reading was followed by some amusing and spirited discussion. Lady Astor remarked to her fellow members: " You men are children and we women love you because you are children. I appeal to the House to pass this legislation to help the children." Sir George Hamilton (Conservative) had a witty passage of arms with the " noble lady," ending his final assault with a suggestion for a saloonkeeper's prayer: " From all grandmotherly legislation, good Lord deliver us." Lady Astor rose and added " Amen."

The Morning Post, the leading London conservative newspaper, questions whether the bill would have progressed even so far had it been thought to have had a chance of final passage and had the proposer's popularity not been taken into consideration. The Daily Mail calls it "the thin edge of a prohibition wedge."