UPROAR IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 9

UPROAR IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

Three Members Suspended AMAZING SCENES OF CONFUSION By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright. (Received July 24. 7.45 p.m.) London, July 23. Wild scenes in 'the House of Commons led to the suspension of three Clydeside members, Mr, G. Buchanan (Ind. Labour, Gorbals), the Rev. Campbell Stephen (Ind. Labour. Camlachie), and Mr. J. McGovern (Labour. Shettleston), during Sir John Simon’s speech defending the new unemployment assistance regulations.

Mr. Buchanan interjected that the Minister of Health had accused Glasgow of meanness in unemployment relief.

Sir John Simon replied that Mr. Buchanan was mistaken. Mr. Buchanan: You are not telling the truth. You are lying.

The Deputy-Speaker, Sir Dennis Herbert, asked for the withdrawal of the remark.

Feelings ran higher as Mr. Buchanan, jumping to his feet amid increasing uproar,, persisted in his accusations. Following repeated warnings by the Deputy-Speaker, Sir John Simon rose to move Mr. Buchanan’s suspension. There were amazing scenes of confusion as Mr. Stophen, jumping up and gesticulating wildly, launched a torrent of invective which lasted for live minutes. He called Government supporters “cowardly robbers and murderers of the working classes” and declared that the Minister of Labour was a "dirty contemptible little rat who ought to be hounded out of public life,” and called Sir John Simon "a lying scoundrel.”

The Deputy-Speaker, after vainly trying to restore order, suspended the sitting for a quarter of an hour. The House was crowded on the resumption, and motions for the suspension of Messrs. Buchanan and Stepbeu were carried.

Sir John Simon rose to continue his speech amid booing from the Labour benches.

Mr. F. Seymour Cocks (Labour Broxbowe) said: "We all know that Sir John Simon is a liar.” Mr. McGovern asked why Mr. Cocks was not guilty of the same offence as Mr. Buchanan.

The .Speaker: I have to deal with cases as I find them.

Mr. McGovern: Well, I say that the Home Secretary is a damned liar.

He refused to withdraw, aud was also suspended. Sir John Simon then resumed his speech. These are the first suspensions in the present. Parliament. The period is five days. Captain 11. D. R. Margesson (Con., Rugby) for the Government moved the closure amid Labour shouts of “the gag” and "baby starvers,” followed by the singing of the Red Flag. Meanwhile 40 or 50 unemployed in the central lobby who had been interviewing members of the House started a chorus “Down with the Means Test.” Police appeared and shepherded them outside.

The closure was carried by 371 votes to 163, and Labour members’ amendments to the proposals were defeated by 368 to 163 and 361 to 140. The new regulations were approved by 357 votes to 155.

The House rose after midnight after sitting for over 32 hours.