The statements in the Lords in regard to the Scottish
Small Holdings Bill were the subject of a heated scene in the Commons on Thursday. For the policy announced by the Opposition there was, declared the Prime Minister, no authority whatever from Scotland. It showed, indeed, a cynical disregard of the wishes, desires, and wants of the people of Scotland as declared by their representatives. The selection and definition of the parts of Scotland to which the provisions of the English Bill were to be extended would be most difficult. To have gone on with the Bill would, in fact, have been "an utter and absolute farce." The question now forced upon the Government was,—" Who is to control legis- lation with regard to the vital interests of the people of Scotland P" They abandoned the further progress of the Bill with the greatest regret; but the provisions objected to by the Lords would be reintroduced at an early date and passed through the Commons in as speedy a manner as possible, and then the other House would be invited either honestly to reject the Bill or to pass it with reasonable amendments.
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