SCOTS HOME RULE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18070, 12 May 1924, Page 9

SCOTS HOME RULE.

BILL TALKED OUT. WILD SCENES IN HOUSE. (BT CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION COPTBIGHT.) <*-JSTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION./ LONDON, May 9. A scone of uproar occurred in the House of Commons in consequence of the Speaker allowing the Home Rule for Scotland Bill to bo talked out. The Bill provides for the establishment in Scotland Of a single chamber Parliament of 143 members, Scotland continuing to have its present representation in the Commons until a general devolution scheme is instituted in the Untied Kingdom. A Laboui Member, Mr Buchanan (Glasgow), in moving the second reading, claimed that Scots almost unanimously favoured the scheme in oi der to relieve congestion in the Commons. Mr T. Johnston (Labour, West Stirling), seconded the motion. Sir John Baird (Conservative, Ayr), moved a reduction' in the number of Ministers. Scots members finally endeavoured to move the closuie, but the Speaker declined to accept this, whereupon pandemonium arose in the Labour benches, Mr Kirkwood (Dumbarton) and others angrily shouting and contesting the fairness of the Speaker's decision, saying it was the first private. Bill this session which had the closure' refused. Mr Adaffison ('Secretary 1 for Scotland) said that the Government ftpproved of the general principle of the Bill, aid lie hoped it would be read a second time by an overwhelming majority. The Government was prepared to appoint a committee to examine the whole question and report to the House, because a vital issue was concerned), equally important to the English and the Welsh also. The Speaker. admitted that he had earlier intended to accept the closure, out justified his action by referring to an incident in the debate when Labour members and Liberals objected to members on the Opposition bench being called on to speak on the ground that two Opposition front benchers had previously spoken. Fresh pandemonium ensued). Mr Kirkwood wag particularly furious. He &ung his arms abbufc and shftuted an attack on the Speaker. Colonel Hodgo (Liberal, Preston), for endeavouring to continue the discussion in defiance of the Speaker's was threatened with suspension. The Speaker fitialfy declared the House adjourned.