CONSCRIPTION IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25030, 12 November 1946, Page 7

CONSCRIPTION IN BRITAIN

LEGISLATION FOR NEW PARLIAMENT IMPORTANT BILL ON AGRICULTURE (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 10. The second session of Parliament, which will open on November 12, will be less long and arduous than the first, but the King’s Speech to the two Houses will unfold a further big instalment of the Labour Government’s programme, shortened to what are regarded as the essentials. Legislation relating to conscription and defence arrangements will command priority. Although the Government can count on adequate support, the Labour Party has no relish for a peace-time conscription bill, which will excite stiff opposition from a minority of Labour members. This minority opposition to conscription will merge with the minority Labour opposition to the Government’s foreign policy. Labour criticism of Mr Bevin may be much Sh, niere e win also be an important bill relating to agriculture, which will provide first for assured markets and ■guaranteed prices for principal agricultural products; second, for the amendment of the statutory Provisions affecting wage regulations; third, the appointment of a commission- to manage and develop land that may be acquired by the State because there is no other way of securing its full productive use; fourth, for the dispossession of persistently inefficient farmers; and, fifth, for the permanent constitution of county committees similar to the war agricultural executive committees.