HOUSE OF COMMONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 4 February 1936, Page 5

HOUSE OF COMMONS

EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY PROGRAMME DEBATE ON INTERNATIONAL SITUATION IMPORTANT DOMESTIC LEGISLATION (British Official Wireless) (Received 4th February, 12.40 p.m.) RUGBY, 3rd February. An exceptionally full programme’ is before the House of Commons when the Parliamentary session is renewed to-mor-row afternoon. An early debate of special interest will be that on the international situation, to be held probably next week. The occasion will mark Mr Eden’s debut in the House of Commons as Foreign Secretary. Plans fo" repairing gaps in the defence forces which have been the subject of close examination by a committee of the Cabinet for some time pas! will be debated later in the session. Important domestic legislation is awaiting attention and includes bills for raising the school age; for extending the unemployment insurance scheme to include 750,000 persons engaged in agriculture at an estimated cost to the Exchequer of £600,000 annually; for development of civil air communications; for reorganisation of the beet sugar industry ; and for a continuance of the tramp shipping subsidy. In addition a Budget and Finance Bill will make heavy demands on the time of the House.

CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES With Parliament’s reassembly on 4th February the “News-Chronicle” predicts a series of bitter fights on a record number of controversial issues for any session of the House of Commons. They include Cabinet’s proposal for a. levy and duty on all meat imports for the benefit of-live stock farmers, which will be discussed with Dominion and Argentine representatives before it is introduced into the House of Commons, also approval of the Anglo-Irish Coal for cattle agreement which the Dominions Office is at present working out with Mr J. W. Dulauty, Free State High Commissioner. Meanwhile the Opposition demands the fullest information regarding the recent “hush, hush’’ defence plans which Cabinet is examining with the Chiefs of Staff. Other matters include the naval conference, sanctions, and the AngloEgyptian Treaty.