BRITISH PARLIAMENT OPENED

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 46, 18 November 1925, Page 9

BRITISH PARLIAMENT OPENED

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS COMMUNISTS AND FASCISTI , (Rec. November 17, 8.5. p.m.) Loudon, November 16. The Parliamentary session was opened to-day. The first important debate will be on the Locarno Pact on Wednesday, otherwise the session will be mostly domestic. Answering a question, Mr. A. M. Samuel announced that Parliament would be asked to vote £1,100,000 in connection with the Wembley guarantee. Mr. Amery told Mr. Hannon that since April 1, 3255 families, representing 12,594 persons, had been assisted to migrate overseas. The applications were keeping up well. Captain Wedgwood Benn asked if Mr. Chamberlain knew whether the Dominions had decided to become parties to the Locarno Pact. Mr. Chamberlain said no.—Aus.-N.Z Cable Assn.

(Rec. November 17, 9.35 p.m.) , London, November 10. In the House of Commons, Mr. Baldwin stated that the Merchandise Marks, otherwise the Imported Agricultural Produce Bill, would not be proceeded with. n Mr. Baldwin stated that legislation would be introduced this session to carry out such reports of the committees established under the Safeguarding of Industries Act as the Government had approved. Mr. MacDonald contended that this was a breach of the Government’s pledge not to introduce protection. Referring to the Locarno Pact, Mr. MacDonald criticised the new policy of settling international affairs without the consent or knowledge of the Dominions.

In' reply to a question whether the Government proposed to introduce legislation to deal with Communist propaganda, Sir William Joynson-Hicks said the question was under consideration.

Labour members started heckling and bantering the Home Secretary, but the Speaker intervened. Later Mr. Lansbury drew attention to the existence of Fascists and other alleged military armed forces. _ Sir William Joynson-Hicks said li<f regretted that these bodies periodically engaged in deplorable activities, but he was unable to confirm that they met regularly for drill, marched through the streets, or attended meetings bearing arms. The law against illegal gatherings would be enforced without discrimination.

Mr. MacDonald asked when this would be done.

Sir William said he had issued instructions a month ago that equal justice should be meted out to all parties, whether Fascist! or otherwise.—Reuter.