Parliament's Week

(.British Commonwealth of Nations)

House of Lords. Royal Assent* was given to the Lausanne Treaty (TIME, April 14), which will now be formally ratified by Great Britain. House of Commons. Major General J. E. B. Seely, Liberal ex-Secretary of State for War and ex-Secretary of State for Air, suggested that the Government should call an international conference to discuss reduction of aerial armaments. "The position is exceedingly serious and ought to be faced,"; he said. "France has built up a great air force. I do not believe it is directed against us, but it is a fact that we have started an air race which is being joined in by others. I hope that the Premier will be able to summon a conference of Powers or even two of them, follow-ing along the lines of the Washington treaty." In answer to the "honorable and gallant Member," Premier MacDonald said his Government would welcome a Washington agreement to limit aerial armaments, that it had been at the back of his mind to face seriously the armaments situation as soon as some of the worst European tangles had been unraveled. He also stated that if an invitation to discuss aerial armaments were addressed to him by any other Power, "my door is open to that invitation." Adjournment. Parliament adjourned for the Easter recess and will not meet until April 29. P: Mrs. Hilton Philipson, M. P., former actress, may retire from Parliament in order to devote her time to the nursery, it was rumored in London. P: Olga Nethersole, 54, actress, intends to enter Parliament as soon as possible, but had not chosen her party. She will stand for "food, houses and education. "My art is the joy of my life,"; said she, "but humanity is my religion!}" P: In Parliamentary and naval circles was heard wide discussion upon getting the signatories of the Washington Naval Agreement to permit conversion of battleships from coal to oil. As oil gives the ships a greater cruising radius, it is held by some to contravene the spirit of the Washington agreement. The Government opposes conversion, but the House is thought to be in its favor. An official of the Navy League in London said: "Professional opinion in the United States seems to be that the conversion is not in conflict with the treaty terms. Contrary views are taken by the British Government. I am sure a conversation should be able to clear up the whole matter." P: "Comrade" Oliver, radical son of ex-Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, said he will oppose Lloyd George at the next Parliamentary election. Critics announced unpleasant things about his "overweening egotism."

* Royal Assent is given to a bill passed by both Houses of Parliament; it is necessary to give any measure legal force. Usually a committee of the House of Lords gives assent on behalf of the King, but it is the Sovereign's constitutional prerogative to withhold such assent.