The Week in Parliament
HREE full Parliamentary days were occupied immediately after the Whitsuntide recess with a general discussion upon the Government's rating proposals.
The Labour Party showed no fight with the exception of Mr. Snowden, who committed himself to the incredible assertion that rates as such were no burden on industry, and Miss Susan .Lawrence, who made the only sustained and coherent attack upon the details of the scheme. The all-round ineptitude of the official position continues to lower the standard of debate, which now too frequently reaches deplorable depths. But on this occasion the Liberals advanced to the charge with every appearance of vigour, and a pleasing bicker developed between Mr. Lloyd George and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which did much to restore interest both in the proposals and the proceedings.
The Government spokesmen, who claimed (1) that rates were in fact a 'burden on industry, and (2) that their scheme would substantially lighten that burden, had no difficulty in proving their case. Mr. Maclaren, a fanatic on the subject, made an impassioned plea for the taxation of site values, which -impressed the House by reason of its enthusiasm and sincerity. The best speeches on the Government side were delivered by Mr. Oliver Stanley, Mr. Harold Macmillan, and Mr. Geoffrey Ellis, an invaluable trio, who now intervene in debate with considerable regularity and invariable effect. All three will be on the Treasury Bench before long. It may be said without exaggeration that the main proposals of the Budget have been almost as favourably received in Parliament as in the country. On Tuesday Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister described, to a half-empty and wholly apathetic House, the condition of trade, a subject in which the majority of members appar- ently take little interest. Presumably they were con- serving their strength for the Prayer Book debates, which will take place once more in an atmosphere charged with excitement and emotion. The result will be close, but I hazard a prediction that the measure will pass.
It seems that Captain Fitzroy will be the new Speaker, and no better selection could be made. He is impartial, experienced, courteous, and seldom ruffled ; he has the requisite appearance and dignity ; and he commands in a special degree the confidence of the Labour Party.
Gradually the stage is being set for the great battle next year, while the vast mass of the electorate remains wrapped in a profound political slumber, from which it will presumably not awaken until polling-day approaches. At the moment the position is wholly obscure. It is inte- resting to observe that not one of the leaders of any party has thought fit publicly to address his mind to the con- stitutional aspects of a three-party system, or to suggest any solution of the problem which will immediately arise if no party commands a clear majority in the next House of Commons. Such a situation may not be probable, but it is certainly possible, and, if it comes about, a modus vivendi which eliminates the necessity of annual general elections will certainly be demanded by the country, and will have to be discovered by those politicians who wish to save their own skins.
WATCHMAN.
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