THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19676, 20 July 1929, Page 15

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

I ELECTORAL REFORM. MR MACDONALD'S PROPOSALS. (UXITH) PHKSS ASSOCIATION— BT ILXCTSIC TELEGBAPH—COPTBIGKT.) LONDON. July 18. Mr Mac-Donald has submitted to Mr Stanley Baldwin and Mr Lloyd George the proposed terms of reference for the enquirv into electoral reform. The "Da'ilv Telegraph" understands that these terms cover: (a) The abolition or retention of the present limited system of plural voting; (b) the methods of voting, including the alternative vote, second ballot, and proportional representation: Cc) the use to be made of Party funds for purposes of election campaigns. The enquiry is the direct outcome of the recent election. The Liberals protested at their under representation according to the votes cast, while the Labour Party complained of the lavish expenditure of the other Parties from their respective headquarters as distinct from the candidates' own expenses. Mr Lloyd George practically made Liberal support for Labour conditional on Labour embarking on a scheme of electoral reform. Mr MncDonaH agrees, but extends the enquiry into Party expenditures.Refusal to Admit Trotsky. The Home Secretary, Mr J. R. Clynes, replying in the House of Commons to questions respecting the terms of the request of M. Leou Trotsky when he asked to be permitted to land in this country, said that M. Trotsky based his application on his desire to undergo medical treatment, to follow his scientific studies, and to superintend the publication of his autobiography. Assurances were offered on his behalf that if admitted he would not interfere with the domestic affairs of this country or take part in any public meetings or seek to make himself prominent in any way. No communication on the subject of his application had been received from the Soviet Government. The decision of tho British Government to refuse him the facilities for a visit was taken after the fullest consideration of all the circumstances. It could be justified without impugning in any way the good faith of those who offered assurance on M. Trotsky's behalf. In the Government's view, if M. Trotsky were to come here persons of mischievous intentions would unquestionably seek to exploit his presence for their own ends, and if, in consequence, he became a source of grave embarrassment, the Government would have no certainty of being able ■to secure his departure. School L .Ing Age. The Minister for Education, Sir O. P. Trevelvan, announced that the Government "had carefully considered tho most suitable date for the raising of the school leaving age of children to 15 years. After weighing all the circumstances they had decided to prepare the necessary legislation to raise the school age as from April Ist, 1931. He was at once asking the representatives of local education authorities and professional bodies to meet him with a. view to consultation and co-opera-tion.