Parliament's Week

(British Commonwealth of Nations)

House of Commons. Ex-Premier Baldwin, Leader of His Majesty's Opposition, rose to ask Premier MacDonald what the Cabinet intended to do about their "defeat" over the Rent Bill (TIME, April 14). The word "defeat" electrified the House for a moment, but the Prime Minister soon made it clear that the Government had no intention of resigning. He accepted defeat, but said that he would give facilities to a "Prevention of Evictions Bill," Liberal measure, and would use only local funds for whatever money might foe necessary. (Great shouts of joy from the Liberals). Continued the Premier: "The bill in its present form is altogether unsatisfactory. But I have asked the law officers to consider it with a view to amending it in committee. There, I think, we shall all cooperate and make it as satisfactory as it is possible to make it."

P: Construction of 2,500,000 houses during the next 15 years was recommended to the Government by a committee representing all sections of the building industry, constituted at the request of the Premier.

P: By a majority of 133 votes, the House voted itself free first-class railway passes and agreed to submit to stricter discipline in attending Parliament.

P: A minor scene occurred when Mr. Masterman, Liberal, made a request for information to Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Snowden. The Chancellor thought the request offensive and said: "My right honorable friend can understand from the answer exactly what his intelligence enables him to apprehend." Thereupon loud cries of "Withdraw!" rent the air. The speaker said he did not think the question was offensive and the Opposition (Conservative) and Liberal cries turned to cheers.