Lawyers in the Commons

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18524, 2 January 1932, Page 12

Lawyers in the Commons

LAWYERS form a remarkably large proportion of Hie membership of the new House of Commons, tne percentage being higher than ever before. In liOv, when Henry IV. called a Parliament at Coventry, lawyers were excluded, and it earned the name of Parliament of Buncos, and the Lawless and Unlearned Parliament. The new Parliament consists of iUG lawyers, no fewer than thirty-two of whom are King's Counsel; thirty heirs of peers and holders of courtesy titles; eighteen doctors and surgeons; about a dozen hankers and half a dozen ox-schoolmasters. Scientists in the House include Hr. C. C. Clayton, of the Fuel Research Hoard. 11. C. Ilaslam, a bio-chemist, and A. E. L. Chorllon, distinguished In engineering. Literature’s chief representative is John

Buchan, and Sir Alfred Butt stands Jor the theatre. Two members are associated with tlio Him industry. Sports will have some distinguished representatives. Viscount 'Knebworth and Lord Clydesdale are well-known amateur boxers. Lord Burghley is a champion hurdler and holder of tiie Olympic record at •iOO nidtres. There are fourteen women members of the new Parliament, of whom four, the Duchess of Alholl, Lady Astor, Lady iveagli and Miss Megan Lloyd George, have sat Before. Among the, newcomers is the Hon. Mary Piekford, serious and hornspectacled, and not at all like her famous namesake. She is a daughter of Lord Slerndalc, and lias been engaged in public life from early girlhood.