To revert to Russia, the Special Imports Bill did not
go through without trouble. Most members of the House warmly approved the contention of Mr. Runciman, who had a great personal success during the debate, that something must be done to show the serious view taken of the arrest of the British engineers ; but very many members were not disposed to give the Government dictatorial powers over trade for an indefinite time -and an indefinite purpose. The assertion of the rights of the House of Commons to keep a hand on policy was begun by-Captain Crookshank, a member as witty as he is valuable on the back benches, and was taken up in many quarters of the House. As the result, the .Government consented to limit the validity of proclama- tions under the Bill to three months, and undertook to use it only in connexion with the British engineers.
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