IRELAND

Evening Star, Issue 18289, 31 May 1923, Page 6

IRELAND

THE INDEMNITY BILL.

DEBATED IN COMMONS.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, May 30,

In the House of Commons a,sharp debate arose on the amendment limiting the operation of tlie Indemnity Bill to the officials who act in good faith. Lord Robert Cecil argued that the Bill would work bolter as worded. Its intention was merely to indemnify Mr Bridgcman (Home Secretary) and those acting under him. The debaters on both wings of the Liberal Party wore led <by Mr Asquith and Mr Lloyd George. They declared that the Bill extended beyond the' deportation cases, and could be applied to each, of the oighty-four regulations issued under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act. It would operate to cover the past, present, and future.

Lord Robert Cecil, resenting the interruptions by Mr Asquith, said tlisj.t Mr Asquith had not road the Bill, and did not know what he was talking about. Lord Robert Cecil afterwards apologised. Mr C. A. M'Curdy (N.L.) moved to report progress in order to give tho Government an opportunity to consider the point. Mr M‘Curdy said it was not respectful to ask them to decide tho matter in blinkers.

Tho motion and the amendment were defeated, and Lord Robert Cecil eventually moved an amendment to confine the indemnity to the recent deportations, and this was carried without a division.

Sir Douglas Hogg (Attorney-General) said that 106 deportees out of 110 had instituted proceedings.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THROUGH COMMITTEE.

A STORMY PASSAGE.

LONDON, May 30. (Received May 31, at 9.30 a.m.)

The House of Commons sat till 5 o’clock in tho morning debating the Indemnity Bill. Mr Baldwin and his Ministers remained till the early morning. Tho fight centred around tho Government’s clause providing for compensation to deported persons. Despite Sir Douglas Hogg’s emphatic undertaking that those deported would receive tho full compensation to which the law courts declared them entitled, tho Oppositionists moved a succession of Mr Ramsay MacDonald moved to report progress, declaring that tho Bill was in a state of hopclcss_ confusion. When a general debate on this motion seemed imminent a group of Government members left tho Chamber.

Lord Robert Cecil moved the closure amid cries of “Gag!” and “Return of the Wanderers!” The closure was carried by 197 votes to 103, and Mr MacDonald’s motion was clefcald by 196 votes to 105. Tho Laboritcs pressed an amendment demanding compensation for “moral and intellectual damage ” and for the deportees’ dependents. Lord Robert Cecil again moved tho closure, at which Mr Noil M'Lean (Labor) rose from the front Opposition bench and violently thumped the table.

During later divisions a number of Laborites assembled in the corridors and sang ‘Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,’ and ‘ Hang Bob Cecil on Q Sour Apple Tree.’ Tho Government maintained a majority of between eighty and ninety, and passed the Bill through committee. It was agreed to postpone the report and third reading stages till Friday.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ENVOYS IN AUSTRALIA. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. MELBOURNE, May 50. Tho High Court continued the hearing of tho Irish envoys’ application. Counsel for the applicants took nr now point, arguing that the proceedings of the Board of Inquiry amounted in effect to contempt of court, as the envoys were awaiting trial on an indictment for seditious conduct when tho board commenced its sitting.