Parliament's Week

The Government sustained a defeat in the House of Commons by seven votes over grievances concerning the treatment of ex-service men. Major Boyd-Carpenter, Minister of Labor, said that all questions relative to ex-service men would be considered by a committee. The House, however, evinced its dislike of committees by defeating the official motion " that the House do now go into committee of supply on civil service estimates."

Two days later an uproar occurred in the House at question time, inspired chiefly by the defeat of the Government on the question of treatment of ex-service men. When Bonar Law entered the House, ironical cheers greeted him from the Labor benches. Conservatives, not to be outdone, brought their vocal chords to play in opposition to the Laborite jeers. Peace was restored to the House a little later; but on the appearance of Major Boyd-Carpenter to answer questions, the House once more resounded with boos and shoos. It is common knowledge that the gallant major looks like a " guilty schoolboy." Jack Jones, a London dockyard Labor Member, conscious of the resemblance, boomed out: " Hold your hand out, you naughty boy." The whole House then burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Some time later a scene occurred that has been described as " one of the worst since the days of Parnell." It started by an insistance from the Labor benches that Mr. Bonar Law, the Premier, answer questions personally. This he was unable to do, owing to his throat trouble. A statement to this effect was a signal for a general outburst of Laborite fury. The Red Flag was sung, and the uproar became so terrific that the Speaker was compelled to adjourn the session. In the general exit a good deal of inadvertent jostling occurred. One Laborite complained that he had been hit by a Conservative, whereupon Colonel the Hon. Walter E. Guinness (Under Secretary of State for War), who seems to have been perfectly innocent, received a punch on the nose.

The Labor Party in general has severely criticized those of its members who were responsible for the fracas, and it is understood that the members who resorted to singing the Red Flag afterwards apologized to the party.

The following day the Labor benches were quieter than usual and the Government proposal to relegate to committee the grievances expressed on behalf of ex-service men was carried by 242 to 135 votes.

An official statement issued from 10 Downing Street stated that Bonar Law has no intention of resigning the Premiership.