Monday, Jun. 22, 1925

Parliament's Week

Members of Parliament entered their respective Houses at Westminster. In the House of Lords, the Lord High Chancellor took his seat on the Woolsack. In the House of Commons, the Speaker took the chair. The summer session began.

House of Commons:

P:Because the budget debate had not been completed with the last session (TIME, May 11, 18, June 8), the House went into committee on the budget. Premier Baldwin announced that the Government had decided to impose a 33 1/3% ad valorem duty on imported lace. A motion to that effect was accordingly introduced. Miss Ellen Wilkinson, Laborite, asked whether the Government had conceived a grudge against women. "First it was silk, now it is lace." The motion was carried 233 to 123.

P:A proposal to reduce the tariff for British-grown sugar was passed, 190 to 98. Chancellor of the Exchequer Winston Churchill claimed that it was absolutely necessary to protect the West Indian and other sugar industries or see them go bankrupt.

P:A Labor amendment to postpone until Jan. 1, 1926, the operation of imperial preferences on tobacco, wines, dried and preserved fruit, was defeated 277 to 93 votes. The most important and interesting fact about the voting was that 20 laborites who, a year ago, were staunch free traders, voted with the Government.

P:Announcement of the appointment of a Secretary of State for the Dominions was made by the Prime Minister (see under).

House of Lords: P:The Performing Animals Bill (a bill to prevent cruel abuses in the training of animals) passed the committee stage. Debate constructed from the official report of the committee proceedings:

LORD ULLSWATER : "1 would like to ask the Government if the word 'animal' includes 'insects.' I have in mind the flea [laughter]. I am not a trainer of fleas [more laughter], but I should like to know what would happen to a man who .withheld from performing fleas their natural food, which I presume is human flesh? Grave doubt exists, I think, by reason of the word 'animal' not being scientifically defined."

LORD DESBOROUGH, replying for the Home Secretary: "The bill clearly defined the word "animal' as including birds, reptiles and fish. I regret that fleas do not come within the scope of the bill."

LORD ULLSWATER: "It is quite clear that an insect is not a bird, nor a reptile, nor a fish; but I hope the noble lord [Lord Danesfort] in charge of the bill will consider whether insects should receive that protection which their lordships contemplate giving to the 'animals.'" (Chuckles.)

LORD DANESFORT : "I did not realize the importance of this matter until the noble lord who has just sat down raised it [laughter]. I shall most certainly consider it." (Renewed laughter.)

LORD DESBOROUGH, ruefully: "I wish somebody had brought fleas to my attention before." (Loud laughter.)