HC Deb 21 July 1924 vol 176 cc1055-67

Where a house has been provided by a local authority or by a society, body of trustees, or company within the meaning of Section Three of The Housing, etc., Act, 1923, and in respect thereof a contribution has been made under the said Act as amended by this Act, then, while the tenant of the house is a person to whom the same has been let while in the employment of the landlord or with a view to his being so employed, any provision in the contract of tenancy under which such person holds which authorises the landlord to recover possession by notice to quit or re-entry, or to require payment of an increased rent by reason of the tenant ceasing to be in such employment, shall be void.—[Mr. Paling.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr. PALING

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

The object of this Clause is to remove a long-standing grievance which has existed, particularly in the part of the country from which I come. It has been the case for the last few years in our districts, which are subject to a rapidly increasing population, which the authorities have been trying to meet, that in the houses that have been built by the colliery companies, and not subject to the Rent Restrictions Act, scores of tenants have been turned out of those houses immediately they have left the employ of the colliery companies who built the houses. These houses were built years ago, and did not come under the Rent Restrictions Act, and the colliery companies were empowered, in these circumstances, to turn out these people. In my own district we have built 600 houses. When we started to build, we had about 250 applicants on the books. We built round about 600 and let them. At the present time, we have 800 applicants on the books, and we are getting behind, which means that in a good many cases people have been waiting as long as three years for a house, and have not got one yet. in all these cases where colliery companies have turned on to the street people who have left their employ, we on the council have had to put these people in front of others who have been waiting for three years, and, in many cases, houses owned by the colliery companies have been let to people who have come straight into the district. The object of this Clause is that, under this scheme, where a subsidy is paid to any company who may build houses, the Rent Restrictions Act shall apply, or such restrictions that the colliery company shall not be at liberty to turn out the tenants as they have done in the past. If public money is used for this purpose, the citizens ought to have some say in this particular matter, and we move this Clause to give some protection in future to tenants who live in these houses.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

I hope the Committee will agree to accept this Clause. It. seems to me that all parties in the House having from time to time condemned the tied-house system, would be very unwise if they commenced now with a housing scheme that is going to perpetuate that system for another 60 years. If, as we all hope, houses are going to be erected in large numbers by societies and companies, it is obvious that unless a clause of this description is accepted the tied-house system is going to obtain for the lifetime of these houses. In view of the hardships that have. been inflicted upon large numbers of workpeople, I think that when public money is being handed over to companies and societies we should get an assurance that when workpeople are compelled to leave their employment, owing perhaps to the small wage or the very bad conditions, they ought not to be subjected to immediate eviction. Last year the Minister of Health said he would give careful consideration to the introduction of a similar provision in the Housing Act of 1923. That was not done, and only last week there was a case of the eviction in my Division of a man with five or six children because he was compelled to leave the colliery he was working at because of the impossible low wages which would not permit him to maintain his family in decency. The Clause would not prevent the erection of houses by companies, for in practice there is no necessity for this power being left in the hands of companies. Our experience is that when an individual leaves a colliery for a district five or six miles away he is much more anxious to get his wife and family along than the colliery company are to dispossess him from their premises.

Mr. BECKER

I think this is rather a fatuous Amendment, because it will not attain the object desired. We have been expressly referred to colliery companies, but so far as I can see it means any house built by any employer, anywhere. If, for instance, a man wants to engage a coachman or a gardener he will say: I will give you so much wages and the rent will be counted as part of your wages." In that case, when the agreement is terminated, the man will have to clear out. That is the sort of thing that will be encouraged. The Amendment will really open up a vast amount of abuse.

Mr. WHEATLEY

I have no doubt, if the Committee accepts the course I am going to ask it to accept, means of evasion will be found by people interested in finding those means. I had some difficulty in accepting the Clause because their is a great deal to be said on both sides. There is the case of the man who provides money to house his own employés, and the man who occupies the house while in his employment leaves that employment and goes to the service of a man who has not provided houses. In that case the employer will find himself in the position of having to provide housing accommodation for the employés of a firm who has not been so progressive as his own firm, while at the same time he is deprived of the opportunity of housing men who are now in his own employment. That was one side. The other side was that in giving him what seemed to me a strong material claim to his house I had to face the responsibility of inflicting what I regard as one of the greatest punishments that can be imposed on women and children, and it was because I felt that. I ought to put the human claims of the women and children before the material claims of the owner of the house that I decided to accept this Clause.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I must say that this is a most startling decision on the part of the Minister. Under the provisions of the Clause the tenant is to be given a freehold in this house and is not to be turned out at all, though he has left the employment of the owner. As the Minister says, this man may have left the employment of the owner and gone into the employment of a rival firm, yet he is to be kept in his house as long as he likes, evidently. The position is an absolutely impossible one, and it will have the effect of preventing a colliery company or anybody else from building any more houses. I say at once I am perfectly certain no business concern, colliery company or otherwise, will build another single house. They build them for their own workpeople, and obviously these people must leave the houses in order that other men employed by the colliery company can get in their place. For the sake of the Bill, I am going to ask the Minister to reconsider the most extraordinary decision he has made and to withdraw the assent he has so hurriedly given.

Mr. H. SPENCER

I can imagine nothing that is going to stop house building more than this proposal. If I may remind the Committee there have been model villages built by manufacturers. The village of Sutton in my constituency is an example. Not a house could have been built there if this Bill had been in force. [An HON. MEMBER: "What about Scotland?"] I have nothing to do with the administration of Scotland. We get a little tired of hearing about Scotland. I want to confine my remarks to my own district which I know. I want to remind the Committee that to-day in my own city we are spending some millions of pounds in a new water scheme. We are building cottages for the navvies. Is there any reason in saying that these cottages should not be occupied by the navvies? Should they have a freehold if this reservoir had not been built. I have never heard anything that will kill cottage building to a greater extent.

Sir DOUGLAS HOGG

I should like to add my appeal to the Minister to reconsider a decision which I cannot help thinking he has taken by inadvertence. I am sorry he has not the assistance of the Attorney-General on the front bench because if he had had that assistance I cannot think he would have expressed his assent to this new Clause. What does it involve? It does not merely provide that the people who have built houses for their work-people cannot ask them to leave when they cease to work for them. That would be bad enough, but it puts the work-people in a much more favourable position, because the provision is that any provision in the contract of tenancy under which such person holds which authorises the landlord to recover possession by notice to quit or re-entry, or to require payment of an increased rent by reason of the tenant ceasing to be in such employment, shall be void. It means that you cannot turn them out even if they do not pay any rent, or commit any breach of tenancy or let the house get into disrepair.

Mr. PALING

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman. [Interruption.] On a point of Order!

Mr. KIRKWOOD

The Chairman will tell him if he is not in Order.

Mr. PALING

May I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the last line but one of the Clause which says or to require payment of an increased rent by reason of the tenant ceasing to be in such employment shall be void. This implies that the ordinary and normal rent will continue to be paid. These words are only used in our Clause because we have cases in our own district where, when a miner leaves his work if he cannot leave forthwith they can increase his rent and do so by 3s., 4s., or 5s. per week.

Sir D. HOGG

The hon. Gentleman's interruption shows how unfortunate it is that the Law Officers of t he Crown are not present. I really think the hon. Member is quite mistaken. It is quite true the Clause provides among other things, that the landlord may require an increase in the rent, but it also provides that any provision in the contract of tenancy which authorises the landlord to recover possession by re-entry shall be void. The owner cannot recover his house nor any payment for rent unless there is a provision in the contract of tenancy which enables him so to do, and that is called a provision for re-entry. But the provision for re-entry is to be void by the words of this Clause. It is perfectly true that tenants will remain liable to pay the rent, but it is equally true that you will not he able to turn teem out. Apart, therefore, from the objections put forward by my hon. Friend the Member for South Bradford (Mr. H. Spencer) and by my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham, if this Clause be accepted, you entirely kill all private building for it puts anyone who builds a house for his own workpeople in a worse position even than the ordinary landlord. I think it is a very dangerous Clause.

Mr. WHEATLEY

If the sole objection of the right hon. Gentleman to this Clause is that it would put the owner of the house under this provision in a worse position than the ordinary landlord, I shall, with the assistance of my legal advisers, insert such words on Report as will ensure that he is not put in any worse position. Subject to that, I shall continue in the attitude I have taken up.

Sir B. REES

Apart altogether from other questions, I have a certain amount of sympathy with the Mover of this New Clause. I know there are hardships in many colliery districts. I know the district to which the lion, Gentleman refers. There are grave disabilities owing to the shortage of houses, but the serious part here is that you are going to take out part of the voluntary effort. You are going to cripple the societies and the combinations. No one is going to suggest that up to now the Public Utility Societies formed by these colliery societies have not done their duty. There is not a colliery company in the country who will build under this scheme. You are going to ruin the voluntary part of the Bill,

Lieut.-Commander BURNEY

There is only one point I will put very shortly in this matter. It is that a company in a district of this kind is very likely a large ratepayer in the district. Not only that, but the company provides subscriptions, and is also, as has been pointed out, providing the houses. I would suggest to the Minister that a company being also large ratepayers would be even further mulcted in the relief of rates, and for that reason I suggest that he should reconsider his attitude.

Captain BOURNE

There is one other point. I would like to bring to the notice of the Minister. We have heard a great deal of the people who have been turned out of their houses, but he has not referred to the hardships of those who have been offered an appointment, but who cannot find a house to live in. I can assure the hon. Member that it. is a point pressing very hardly on people who would be only too glad to take up a job if they could get a house, and that is, a consideration to be borne in mind.

Mr. COMYNS-CARR

I should like to put one other point. I have very great sympathy with these cases, hut I feel that the difficulty could be met in some other way. With regard to city companies moving their works out into the country, they have to be able to provide in the neighbourhood of the new site of their works housing accommodation for the persons who are going to be employed there, and unless and until they are in a position to build sufficient houses for those who are going to be employed by them to work in more new and salubrious surroundings, you cannot get workmen to move out of great cities. If the firms who are prepared to do this and go to this expense are not able to retain those houses when they have built them for the occupation of their own employés, you will not get any firms to undertake that very desirable task of removing their works into the neighbourhood of growing cities or suburbs or otherwise into the country. That is a very strong reason why this Clause should he seriously re-considered.

Mr. WHEATLEY

Might I appeal to the Committee that the point at issue is quite clear, and ask them to come to a decision to-night?

Mr. BECKER

rose—

HON. MEMBERS

Divide!

Question "That the Clause be read a Second time."

The Committee divided: Ayes, 119; Noes, 137.

Division No. 179.] AYES. [1.0 a.m.
Adamson, Rt. Hon. William Gould, Frederick (Somerset, Frome) Kirkwood, D.
Adamson, W. M. (Staff., Cannock) Graham, D. M. (Lanark, Hamilton) Lawrence, Susan (East Ham, North)
Alexander, A. V. (Sheffield, Hillsbro') Greenwood, A. (Nelson and Colne) Lawson, John James
Ayles, W. H. Greaten, D. R. (Glamorgan) Leach, W.
Banton, G. Groves, T. Linfield, F. C.
Benn, Captain Wedgwood (Leith) Grundy, T. W. Loverseed, J. F.
Broad, F. A. Guest, Dr. L. Haden (Southwark, N.) Lunn, William
Brown, A. E. (Warwick, Rugby) Hall, F. (York, W.R., Normanton) McEntee, V. L.
Brown, James (Ayr and Bute) Hall, G. H. (Merthyr Tydvil) Macfadyen, E.
Buckle, J. Hastings, Somerville (Reading) Mackinder, W.
Charleton, H. C. Haycock, A. W. Maden, H.
Church, Major A. G. Hayday, Arthur Marley, James
Clarke, A. Hayes, John Henry Martin, W. H. (Dumbarton)
Cluse, W. S. Henderson, A. (Cardiff, South) Maxton, James
Clynes, Rt. Hon. John R. Henderson, T. (Glasgow) Montague, Frederick
Costello, L. W. J. Henderson, W. W. (Middlesex, Enfld.) Morrison, Herbert (Hackney, South)
Crittall, V. G. Hirst, G. H. Morrison, R. C. (Tottenham, N.)
Davies, Rhys John (Westhoughton) Hoffman, P. C. Moulton, Major Fletcher
Dickson, T. Hudson, J. H. Naylor, T. E.
Dukes, C. Isaacs, G. A. Oliver, George Harold
Dunnico, H. Jackson, R. F. (Ipswich) Paling, W.
Edwards, C. (Monmouth, Bedwellty) Jenkins, W. (Glamorgan, Neath) Perry, S. F.
Egan, W. H. Jewson, Dorothea Pethick-Lawrence, F. W.
Gavan-Duffy, Thomas John, William (Rhondda, West) Potts, John S.
Gibbins, Joseph Johnston, Thomas (Stirling) Purcell, A. A.
Gillett, George M. Jones, T. I. Mardy (Pontypridd) Richards, R.
Gosling, Harry Jowett, Rt. Hon. F. W. (Bradford, E.) Richardson, R. (Houghton-le-Spring)
Ritson, J. Stewart, J. (St. Rollox) Wheatley, Rt. Hon. J.
Roberts, Rt. Hon. F.O.(W. Bromwich) Sullivan, J. Whiteley, W.
Romeril, H. G. Thomson, Trevelyan (Middlesbro. W.) Williams, David (Swansea, E.)
Seely, Rt.Hn.Maj.-Gen. J.E.B.(I. of W.) Tinker, John Joseph Williams, Dr. J. H. (Llanelly)
Shaw, Rt. Hon. Thomas (Preston) Toole, J. Williams, T. (York. Don Valley)
Sherwood, George Henry Tout, W. J. Williams. Lt.-Col. T.S.B.(Kennington.)
Short, Alfred (Wednesbury) Turner, Ben Wilson, R. J. (Jarrow)
Smith, Ben (Bermondsey, Rotherhithe) Varley, Frank B. Windsor, Walter
Smith, T. (Pontefract) Warne, G. H. Wright, W.
Smith, W. R. (Norwich) Watson, W. M. (Dunfermline) Young, Andrew (Glasgow, Partick)
Snell, Harry Watts-Morgan, Lt.-Col. D. (Rhondda)
Spence, R. Webb, Rt. Hon. Sidney TELLERS FOR THE AYES.—
Spero, Dr. G. E. Welsh, J. C. Mr. John Robertson and Mr.
Stephen, Campbell Westwood, J. Parkinson.
NOES.
Allen, Lieut.-Col. Sir William James Gorman, William Percy, Lord Eustace (Hastings)
Alstead, R. Greene, W. P. Crawford Perkins, Colonel E. K.
Aske, Sir Robert William Grigg, Lieut.-Col. Sir Edward W. M. Phillips, Vivian
Atholl, Duchess of Hacking, Captain Douglas H. Pringle, W. M. R.
Balfour, George (Hampstead) Hamilton, Sir R. (Orkney & Shetland) Raffan, P. W.
Barnston, Major Sir Harry Hannon, Patrick Joseph Henry Ramage, Captain Cecil Beresford
Barrie, Sir Charles Coupar (Banff) Harland, A. Rathbone, Hugh H.
Beamish, Captain T. P. H. Harmsworth, Hon. E. C. (Kent) Rawson, Alfred Cooper
Becker, Harry Hartington, Marquess of Rea, W. Russell
Betterton, Henry B. Harvey, C. M. B.(Aberd'n & Kincardne) Rees, Capt. J. T. (Devon, Barnstaple)
Black, J. W. Hennessy, Major J. R. G. Rees, Sir Beddoe
Bonwick, A. Hindle, F. Remer, J. R
Bourne, Robert Croft Hobhouse, A. L. Rhys, Hon. C. A. U.
Bowyer, Capt. G. E. W. Hogg, Rt. Hon. Sir D. (St. Marylebone) Richardson, Lt.-Col. Sir P. (Chertsey)
Briant, Frank Howard, Hon. G. (Bedford, Luton) Robinson, Sir T. (Lancs., Stretford)
Briscoe, Captain Richard George Huntingfield, Lord Ropner, Major L.
Brittain, Sir Harry Inskip, Sir Thomas Walker H. Roundell Colonel R. F.
Brunner, Sir J. Jenkins, W. A. (Brecon and Radnor) Russell, Alexander West (Tynemouth)
Buckle, J. Johnstone, Harcourt (Willesden, East) Samuel, A. M. (Surrey, Farnham)
Burman, J. B. Jones, C. Sydney (Liverpool, W. Derby) Savery, S. S.
Chadwick, Sir Robert Burton Jones, Henry Haydn (Merioneth) Shepperson, E. W.
Chamberlain, Rt. Hon. N. (Ladywood) Jowitt, W. A. (The Hartlepools) Sinclair, Major Sir A. (Caithness)
Chapman, Sir S. Joynson-Hicks, Rt. Hon. Sir William Smith-Carington, Neville W.
Clayton, G. C. Kay, Sir R. Newbald Spencer, H. H. (Bradford, S.)
Cobb, Sir Cyril Kedward, R. M. Starmer, Sir Charles
Cockerill, Brigadier-General G. K. Keens, T. Steel, Samuel Strang
Comyns-Carr, A. S. King, Captain Henry Douglas Stewart, Maj. R. S. (Stockton-on-Tees)
Cope, Major William Lamb, J. Q. Stranger, Innes Harold
Curzon, Captain Viscount Lane-Fox, George R. Sunlight, J.
Darbishire, C. W. Laverack, F. J. Terrington, Lady
Davies, Maj. Geo. F. (Somerset, Yeovil) Lessing, E. Thompson, Luke (Sunderland)
Dawson, Sir Philip Locker-Lampson, Com. O. (Handsw'th) Thornton, Maxwell R.
Dickie, Captain J. P. Lumley, L. R. Tryon. Rt. Hon. George Clement
Dodds, S. R. McLean, Major A. Vaughan-Morgan, Col. K. P.
Dudgeon, Major C. R. Martin, F. (Aberdeen & Kinc'dlne, E.) Warrender, Sir Victor
Eden, Captain Anthony Millar, J. D. Watson, Sir F. (Pudsey and Otley)
Edmondson, Major A. J. Milne, J. S. Wardlaw Wells, S. R.
Elliot, Walter E. Mitchell R. M.(Perth & Kinross, Perth) Wheler, Lieut.-Col. Granville C. H.
Eyres-Monsell, Com. Rt. Hon. B. M. Mond, H. White, H. G. (Birkenhead, E.)
Falle, Major Sir Bertram Godfrey Moore-Brabazon, Lieut.-Col. J. T. C. Wise, Sir Fredric
Ferguson, H. Morris, R. H. Wood, Major Rt. Hon. Edward F. L.
FitzRoy, Captain Rt. Hon. Edward A. Morrison-Bell, Major Sir A.C.(Honiton) Wood, Major M. M. (Aberdeen, C.)
Fletcher, Lieut.-Com. R. T. H. Murrell, Frank Yerburgh, Major Robert D. T.
Fremantle, Lieut.-Colonel Francis E. Newman, Sir R. H. S. D. L (Exeter)
Gates, Percy Oliver, P. M. (Manchester, Blackley) TELLERS FOR THE NOES.—
George, Major G. L. (Pembroke) Owen, Major G. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Joseph Nall and
Gibbs, Col. Rt. Hon. George Abraham Pattinson, S. (Horncastle) Lieut.-Commander Burney.
Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I beg to move, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."

What has happened is that the Minister, purely for electioneering purposes, at one o'clock in the morning, has accepted a Clause moved from the back Benches which is outside the spirit of the Bill, will go a very long way to ruin the Bill, and will stop house building, which the right hon. Gentleman professes to want to get carried. I think his proper course is to adjourn our proceeding to-night.

Mr. WHEATLEY

I hope the Committee will not accept the Motion made by the right hon. Gentleman, even if he does intend to press it to a Division. We have come almost to the conclusion of our labours, and I hope in the interests of the business of the House we shall get to the Committee stage before we rise. The Government propose to accept the decision of the Committee.

Question put, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."

The Committee divided: Ayes, 78; Noes, 174.

Division No. 180.] AYES. [1.10 a.m.
Allen, Lieut.-Col. Sir William James Falle, Major Sir Bertram Godfrey Percy, Lord Eustace (Hastings)
Atholl, Duchess of Ferguson, H. Perkins, Colonel E. K.
Balfour, George (Hampstead) FitzRoy, Capt. Hon. Edward. A. Pringle, W. M. R.
Barnston, Major Sir Harry Fremantle, Lieut.-Colonel Francis E. Rawson, Alfred Cooper
Beamish, Captain T. P. H. Gates, Percy Remer, J. R.
Becker, Harry Greene, W. P. Crawford Rhys, Hon. C. A. U.
Betterton, Henry B. Hacking, Captain Douglas H. Richardson, Lt.-Col. Sir P. (Chertsey)
Bourne, Robert Croft Hannon, Patrick Joseph Henry Ropner, Major L.
Bowyer, Capt. G. E. W. Harland, A. Roundell, Colonel R. F.
Briscoe, Captain Richard George Harmsworth, Hon. E. C. (Kent) Russell, Alexander West (Tynemouth)
Brittain, Sir Harry Hartington, Marquess of Samuel, A. M. (Surrey, Farnham)
Bullock, Captain M. Harvey, C. M. B.(Aberd'n & Kincardne) Savery, S. S.
Burman, J. B. Hennessy, Major J. R. G. Shepperson, E. W.
Burney. Lieut.-Com. Charles D. Hogg, Rt. Hon. Sir D. (St. Marylebone) Smith-Carington, Neville W.
Chadwick, Sir Robert Burton Huntingfield, Lord Steel, Samuel Strang
Chamberlain, Rt. Hon. N. (Ladywood) Inskip, Sir Thomas Walker H. Thompson, Luke (Sunderland)
Chapman, Sir S. Johnstone, Harcourt (Willesden, East) Tryon, Rt. Hon. George Clement
Clayton, G. C. Joynson-Hicks, Rt. Hon. Sir William Vaughan-Morgan, Col. K. P.
Cobb, Sir Cyril King, Captain Henry Douglas Warrender, Sir Victor
Cockerill, Brigadier-General G. K. Lamb, J. Q. Watson, Sir F. (Pudsey and Otley)
Cope, Major William Locker-Lampson, Com. O. (Handsw'th) Wells, S. R.
Curzon, Captain Viscount Lumley, L. R. Wheler, Lieut.-Col. Granville C. H.
Davies, Maj. Geo. F. (Somerset, Yeovil) McLean, Major A. Wise, Sir Fredric
Dawson, Sir Philip Milne, J. S. Wardlaw Yerburgh, Major Robert D. T.
Eden, Captain Anthony Moore-Brabazon, Lieut.-Col. J. T. C.
Edmondson, Major A. J. Morrison-Bell,Major Sir A. C.(Honiton) TELLERS FOR THE AYES.—
Elliot, Walter E. Nall, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Joseph Commander Eyres-Monsell and
Colonel Gibbso
NOES.
Adamson, Rt. Hon. William Grenfell, D. R. (Glamorgan) Mackinder, W.
Adamson, W. M. (Staff., Cannock) Grigg, Lieut.-Col, Sir Edward W. M. Maden, H.
Alexander. A. V. (Sheffield, Hillsbro') Groves, T. Marley, James
Alstead, R. Grundy, T, W. Martin, F. (Aberdeen & Kinc'dlne, E.)
Aske, Sir Robert William Guest, Dr. L. Haden (Southwark, N.) Martin, W. H. (Dumbarton)
Ayles, W. H. Hall, F. (York, W.R., Normanton) Maxton, James
Banton, G. Hall, G. H. (Merthyr Tydvil) Millar, J. D.
Barrio, Sir Charles Coupar (Banff) Hamilton, Sir R. (Orkney & Shetland) Mitchell, R. M.(Perth & Kinross, Perth)
Benn, Captain Wedgwood (Leith) Hastings, Somerville (Reading) Mond, H.
Black, J. W. Haycock, A. W. Montague, Frederick
Bonwick, A, Hayday, Arthur Morris, R. H.
Briant, Frank Hayes, John Henry Morrison, Herbert (Hackney, South)
Broad, F. A. Henderson, A. (Cardiff, South) Morrison, R. C. (Tottenham, N.)
Brown, A. E. (Warwick, Rugby) Henderson, T. (Glasgow) Moulton, Major Fletcher
Brown, James (Ayr and Bute) Henderson, W. W. (Middlesex, Enfld.) Murrell, Frank
Brunner, Sir J. Hindle, F. Naylor, T. E.
Buckle, J. Hirst, G. H. Oliver, George Harold
Charleton, H. C. Hobhouse, A. L. Oliver, P. M. (Manchester, Blackley)
Church, Major A. G. Hoffman, P. C. Owen, Major G.
Clarke, A. Howard, Hon. G. (Bedford, Luton) Paling, W.
Cluse, W. S. Hudson, J. H. Parkinson, John Allen (Wigan)
Clynes, Rt. Hon. John R. Isaacs, G. A. Pattinson, S. (Horncastle)
Comyns-Carr, A. S. Jackson, R. F. (Ipswich) Perry, S. F.
Costello, L. W. J. Jenkins, W. (Glamorgan, Neath) Pethick-Lawrence, F. W.
Crittall, V. G. Jenkins, W. A. (Brecon and Radnor) Phillipps, Vivian
Darbishire, C. W. Jewson, Dorothea Potts, John S.
Davies, Rhys John (Westhoughton) John, William (Rhondda, West) Purcell, A. A.
Dickie, Captain J. P. Johnston, Thomas (Stirling) Raffan, P. W.
Dickson, T. Jones, C. Sydney (Liverpool, W. Derby) Ramage, Captain Cecil Beresford
Dodds, S. R. Jones, Henry Haydn (Merioneth) Rathbone, Hugh H.
Dudgeon, Major C. R. Jones, T. I. Mardy (Pontypridd) Rea, W. Russell
Dukes, C. Jowett, Rt. Hon. F. W. (Bradford, E.) Rees, Capt. J. T. (Devon, Barnstaple)
Dunnico, H. Kay, Sir R. Newbald Rees, Sir Beddoe
Edwards, C. (Monmouth, Bedwellty) Kedward, R. M. Richards, R.
Egan, W. H. Keens, T. Richardson, R. (Houghton-le-Spring)
Finney, V. H. Kirkwood, D. Ritson, J.
Fletcher, Lieut.-Com. R. T. H. Laverack, F. J. Roberts, Rt. Hon. F.O.(W. Bromwich)
Gavan-Duffy, Thomas Lawrence, Susan (East Ham, North) Robinson, Sir T. (Lancs., Stretford)
George, Major G. L. (Pembroke) Lawson. John James Romeril, H. G.
Gibbins, Joseph Leach, W. Seely, H. M. (Norfolk, Eastern)
Gillett, George M, Lessing, E. Shaw, Rt. Hon. Thomas (Preston)
Gorman, William Linfield, F. C. Sherwood, George Henry
Gosling, Harry Loverseed, J. F. Short, Alfred (Wednesbury)
Gould, Frederick (Somerset, Frome) Lunn, William Sinclair, Major Sir A. (Caithness)
Graham, D. M. (Lanark, Hamilton) McEntee, V. L. Smith, Ben (Bermondsey, Rotherhithe)
Greenwood, A. (Nelson and Colne) Macfadyen, E. Smith, T. (Pontefract)
Smith, W. R. (Norwich) Toole, J. Williams, Dr. J, H. (Llanelly)
Snell, Harry Tout, W. J. Williams, T. (York, Don Valley)
Spence, R. Turner, Ben Williams, Lt.-Col. T.S.B.(Kenningtn.)
Spencer, H. H. (Bradford, S.) Varley, Frank B. Wilson, C. H. (Sheffield, Attercliffe)
Spero, Dr. G. E. Watson, W. M. (Dunfermline) Wilson, R. J (Jarrow)
Starmer, Sir Charles Watts-Morgan, Lt.-Col. D. (Rhondda) Windsor, Walter
Stephen, Campbell Webb, Rt. Hon. Sidney Wood, Major M. M. (Aberdeen, C.)
Stewart, J. (St. Rollox) Welsh, J, C. Wright, W.
Stewart, Maj. R. S.(Stockton-on-Tees) Westwood, J. Young, Andrew (Glasgow, Partick)
Stranger, Innes Harold Wheatley, Rt. Hon. J.
Sullivan, J. White, H. G. (Birkenhead, E.) TELLERS FOR THE NOES.—
Thomson, Trevelyan (Middlesbro. W.) Whiteley, W. Mr. Warne and Mr. John
Thornton, Maxwell R. Williams, David (Swansea, E.) Robertson.
Tinker, John Joseph

Question put, and agreed to.