EXCITEMENT IN COMMONS

Evening Star, Issue 20422, 1 March 1930, Page 15

EXCITEMENT IN COMMONS

THE COAL MINES BILL LABOUR'S CLOSE CALL fr*a Aiwcitlion—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, February 27. The division on a Liberal amendment to the Coal Mines Bill was preceded by scenes rarely seen in the House of Commons in modern times. Every party had whipped up its supporters to the last man. There was the tensest feeling in all parts of the crowded House when Mr Clement Davies moved the crucial amendment. The impatience was so, great that he cut his speech very short. Sir L. Worthington Evans led the Conservative attack, describing the Bill as a .new departure in the economics of politics and the latest form of Socialism, seeking to attain nationalisation through the ■ ruin of the coal industry.

Mr A. Sevan (Lab.) vigorously defended the Bill, quoting the German success with the quota system and attacking Mr Lloyd George. He said the latter had used the measure throughout to attempt to put new life into the corpse of Liberalism. Ho said that'overy Liberal was voting for lower wages for the miners and more accidents in collieries.

Mr Lloyd George pointed out that the min® owners had rejected the Bill as a whole, and 90 per cent. ■qf the exporters voted against it. Tho quota system meant a limited output, which would inevitably increase costs.

Mr T. Griffiths (Lab.) said that the only bright spot was the Welsh, tinplate industry, which was run on a system of quotas and fixed prices.

The debate was carried on in the midst of excited cheers. Impatience increased as division time-approached, and visitors in the galleries had to be restrained - from standing in their places.

When the motion was put Mr Lloyd George and his son immediately went, to', the division i lobby, while several other Liberals remained in their places. As the members filed back Mr Lloyd George received a roar of derisive Ministerial cheers and shouts of “Good old Tory.” Mr MacDonald was welcomed by and continuous applause from the Labour benches. He-stood for a moment visibly affected by emotion.

There was a vast difference between the, division on December 19 .and that to-night. The Government in December did not realise, its danger till members went into the division lobbies, but to-day it was most apprehensive. Every Conservative present, except one who abstained from voting, voted against the Government. Most of the fifty-four Liberals followed Mr Lloyd George, and 'jdid the same, but four Liberals; and four Independents voted with the Government. Eight Liberals, including Mr Walter Runciman, Sir Donald Maclean, Sir Godfrey Codings, and Mr E. D. Simon, saved the Government's life by not voting. The closing speech by Mr Walter Graham (president of the Board of Trade), on behalf of the Government, was a brilliant feature of the debate. It was full of close argument, and was delivered- without a note, as he has a wonderful memory. When Labour’s escape from defeat was assured Mr Graham went to his room and called a doctor in. He did not collapse, but the strain of recent work at Geneva and in Parliament has been manifestly too great. Ho has been ordered to take a holiday out of London.

Sir W. Edge, who voted against the Liberal amendment, later tendered Mr Lloyd George his resignation as Liberal >Vhip,