THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20289, 23 December 1927, Page 9

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. RESUMPTION WITH RUSSIA. CIRCUMSTANCES MUST CHANGE. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright ) LONDON, December 21. In the House of Commons Sir Austen Chamberlain, in answer to a question, said the Government had every intention of maintaining Britain’s ancient alliance with Portugal. Mr A. A. Ponsonby (Labour) asked ii there was any hope of a resumption of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s conversation with M. Litvinoff at Geneva. Sir Austen Chamberlain said in reply: “ I see no occasion for a resumption till the circumstances are changed.” Colonel Headlam, in reply to a question, said that until further details of America’s new programme and the dates of constructions were obtained no compan. son between British and American naval strengths for five years hence could be made. • Questioned concerning the recent stage performance representing the execution ot Charles Peace, in which John Jllhs, a former executioner, is appearing, oir William Joynson-Hicks (Home Secretary) said the executioners were employed by the sheriffs He was not empowered to make conditions. Anyhow, these did not apply to executioners after their retirement. Mr J. P. Gardner: “ Is it public policy to have executions on the stage? ” Sir Harry Brittain: Cannot the matter be left to public opinion and the press? Sir William Joynson-Hicks said he was sure the House regarded such exhibitions as unseemly.—A. and -N.Z. Cable. OVERSEAS TRADE. DEPARTMENT TO REMAIN. (British Official Wireless.) v / RUGBY, December 21. The Prime Minister stated in the House of Commons that the proposal which was made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his last Budget statement that the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Mines, and the Department of Overseas Trade should be abolished could not be effected without legislation; except in the case of the Department of Overseas Trade, and it would not be right to make demands on parliamentard time out of all proportion to the actual saving likely to be effected. ■