HC Deb 20 May 1931 vol 252 cc2109-21
Lord E. PERCY

I beg to move, in page 1, line 6, to leave out the Clause.

We did not challenge a Division on the last question, partly because the sense of the House had already been taken on the Second Reading of the Clause, and partly also because of circumstances to which I wish to allude, namely, the fact that we have been left under the Guillotine with only a quarter-of-an-hour to debate the whole question of the alternative vote. It is, I think, the general practice of this House that, when it is operating under a Guillotine Resolution, it is regarded as being for the Opposition to decide more or less how long any particular subject may be discussed in order that the Opposition may be able to raise the questions they desire to raise before the Guillotine falls. But this evening there has been a continuance of the dropping fire Debate on the last Motion we were debating, carried on largely by hon. Gentlemen opposite, which has prevented us from discussing the alternative vote for more than a quarter-of-an-hour.

In spite of the shortness of time, I should like to ask the House to consider the Motion that I am making, to leave out Clause 1, as a constitutional question of the most immediate importance. We have spent a long time to-day largely discussing genera] principles of political theory, like one man one vote. I do not wish to discuss this question on any theoretical ground. I wish rather to ask the House to consider what is the present position of the nation, what is the present position of Parliament in relation to national problems, and whether the position of Parliament is likely to be improved or worsened by the adoption of the Alternative Vote. We are all agreed that we are faced with unprecedented problems and unparalleled crises, and we are all agreed that it is necessary for the Government of this country at this moment to take very strong action to adopt a positive policy. We differ as between hon. Members opposite, hon. Members behind me and hon. Members below the Gangway on this side as to what those measures should be, but we all feel that the urgent need is a strong lead by a strong executive, and that the chief business of Parliament during the next five years is going to be to deal with the industrial and commercial reconstruction of the country, on energetic lines.

At the same time, we are all conscious of the fact that this Parliament is showing itself—we may differ as to the reason—utterly incapable of taking any strong action of that kind. The hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) told us that Parliament had been getting better and better and better all the time since the days of Queen Elizabeth. I am afraid that the hon. Member represents that vague, woolly, comfortable, evolutionary philosophy which was depicted by Lewis Carroll when he drew the character of the White Queen in "Alice through the Looking Glass"—the lady who, it will be remembered, went on saying "Better and better and better and better" until her voice turned gradually into a bleat, and she turned into a sheep. That kind of optimism is one of the most dangerous features about Parliament of the present day. There is no explanation given by hon. Members opposite of this impotence and parlousness. I do not know what hon. Members would give as the explanation, but I know what their supporters in the country always give as the explanation. There is always the gentleman at the back of the audience who says: "We are in office, but not in power." Hon. Members opposite say: "We depend upon the Liberal party below the Gangway, and we have no power or initiative of our own." There may be a good deal of truth in that.

What is the object of this Bill and of this Clause, if it has any object at all? It is to ensure that every future Parliament shall be as like this Parliament as possible; that any future Labour Government shall be at least as dependent on hon. Members below the Gangway, a professed anti-Socialist party, as they are at the present moment. It is a proposal that every future Parliament shall be as ineffective and as unsatisfactory to any full-blooded member of the Labour party as the present Parliament. I hope I shall not offend hon. Members opposite, but let us realise the character of the present Parliament. Even if there has been a steady improvement for the last 300 years we have had many Parliaments which represented a level somewhat below the average. We have had the Short Parliament, the Barebones Parliament, and the Addled Parliament. The addled Parliament might be a good name for the present Parliament, but this Parliament will certainly go down to history, if it is remembered at all, as the silly Parliament, in which there were 615 members all equally impotent owing to the composition of the House. That impotence this Clause proposes to perpetuate.

I know that hon. Members opposite do not take this Clause seriously, they do not believe that it will have any such effect. They believe that under the Alternative Vote, equally with any other form of vote, the Liberal party below the Gangway will steadily dwindle. They believe they have cheated their allies in this bargain, and are going to get off scot free. They may be right. But if there is any reason for wasting the time of Parliament on this Bill it is in order to perpetuate the kind of party divisions which exist in this Parliament. There is I think, however, a deeper reason for the impotence of this Parliament, and, if hon. Members opposite will allow me to say, for the impotence of the party opposite. The party opposite, and great credit to them for the fact, have climbed steadily into power by dint of the careful organisation of large masses of men, the whole mass of the trade union movement, and it invariably happens that when a political party is founded upon that elaborate party organisation which is necessary to bind together large masses of men it begins to lose momentum, and what creeps in—and it is the great danger of democracy—is what is called in the United States representation by the most available man. It is not the man with the greatest power of leadership who becomes President of the United States, or a member of Congress or a Senator. It is not the man with the most positive views and the greatest imagination; it is the available man, who has trodden on as

few toes as possible, who is colourless enough to represent the largest range and variety of opinion. And that is the man who, even without the Alternative Vote, tends invariably to be returned in enormous democracies which are so large that they can only be made workable by rigid and elaborate party organisation.

Hon. Members who are in the trade union movement know very well that the Alternative Vote arrangements in force in their unions for the election of officers, operate so as to increase the chances of the available man and to diminish to the lowest the chances of the man with positive views and imagination of his own. I believe there is no trade unionist who will deny that that is the tendency. So they will say that the. English people have such power of working even the impossibly bad system that the Alternative Vote does not do very much harm in politics after all. That is the only justification to be found for the Alternative Vote. At this moment, when all our energies ought to be bent to ensure that future Parliaments and future Governments shall represent, not any dull average level of opinion—[Laughter]—not the easily awakened risability of certain hon. Members, but shall represent on the contrary the determination of a minority—for it always is a minority that is active in Government—to do certain things and to push certain policies through; it is at this moment, when that is the supreme need of the country, that we are asked to pass a proposal which will, so far as any proposal can, ensure that future Parliaments and future Governments shall represent the negative dislikes of the electorate, and shall include and represent none of the driving force which this country so urgently needs.

Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out, to the word 'voting,' in page 2, line 10. stand part of the Bill."

The House divided: Ayes, 253; Noes, 218.

Division No. 255.] AYES. [10.29 p.m.
Adamson, Rt. Hon. W. (Fife, West) Aske, Sir Robert Bennett, William (Battersea, South)
Adamson, W. M. (Staff., Cannock) Attlee, Clement Richard Benson, G.
Addison, Rt. Hon. Dr. Christopher Ayles, Walter Bevan, Aneurin (Ebbw Vale)
Alexander, Rt. Hon. A. V. (Hillsbro') Baker, John (Wolverhampton, Bilston) Birkett, W. Norman
Alpass, J. H. Barnet, Alfred John Blindell, James
Ammon, Charles George Barr, James. Bondfield, Rt. Hon. Margaret
Angell, Sir Norman Batey, Joseph Bowen, J. W.
Arnott, John Bennett, Sir E. N. (Cardiff, Central) Bowerman, Rt. Hon. Charles W.
Broad, Francis Alfred Kedward, R. M. (Kent, Ashford) Raynes, W. R.
Bromfield, William Kelly, W. T. Richards, R.
Brooke, W. Kennedy, Rt. Hon. Thomas Richardson, R. (Houghton-le-Springs),
Brothers, M. Kenworthy, Lt-Com. Hon. Joseph M. Riley, Ben (Dewsbury)
Brown, C. W. E. (Notts, Mansfield) Knight, Holford Ritson, J.
Brown, Ernest (Leith) Lang, Gordon Romerll, H. G.
Burgess, F. G. Lansbury, Rt. Hon. George Rosbotham, D. S. T.
Burgin, Dr. E. L. Lathan, G. (Sheffield, Park) Rothschild, J. de
Buxton, C. R. (Yorks, W. R. Elland) Law, Albert (Bolton) Rowson, Guy
Caine, Hall-, Derwent Law, A. (Rossendale) Russell, Richard John (Eddisbury)
Carter, W. (St. Pancras, S. W.) Lawrence, Susan Salter, Dr. Alfred
Chater, Daniel Lawther, W. (Barnard Castle) Samuel, Rt. Hon. Sir H. (Derwen)
Clarke, J. S. Leach, W. Samuel, H. Walter (Swansea, West)
Cluse, W. S. Lee, Frank (Derby, N. E.) Sanders, W. S.
Clynes, Rt. Hon. John R. Lees, J. Sawyer, G. F.
Cocks, Frederick Seymour Leonard, W. Scott, James
Cove, William G. Lindley, Fred W. Scurr, John
Cripps, Sir Stafford Lloyd, C. Ellis Sexton, Sir James
Daggar, George Logan, David Gilbert Shakespeare, Geoffrey H.
Dallas, George Longbottom, A. W. Shaw, Rt. Hon. Thomas (Preston)
Dalton, Hugh Longden, F. Shepherd, Arthur Lewis
Davies, D. L. (Pontypridd) Lovat-Fraser, J. A. Sherwood, G. H.
Davies, E. C. (Montgomery) Lunn, William Shiels, Dr. Drummond
Davies, Rhys John (Westhoughton) MacDonald, Rt. Hon. J. R. (Seaham) Shillaker, J. F.
Day, Harry MacDonald, Malcolm (Bassetlaw) Shinwell, E.
Denman, Hon. R. D. Macdonald, Sir M. (Inverness) Short, Alfred (Wednesbury)
Dudgees, Major C. R. McElwee, A. Simmons, C. J.
Duncan, Charles McEntee, V. L. Sinclair, Sir A. (Caithness)
Ede, James Chuter McKinlay, A. Sinkinson, George
Edge, Sir William Maclean, Sir Donald (Cornwall, N.) Sitch, Charles H.
Edmunds, J. E. MacNeill-Weir, L. Smith, Frank (Nuneaton)
Edwards, E. (Morpeth) Macpherson, Rt. Hon. James I. Smith, Lees-, Rt. Hon. H. B. (Keighley)
Elmley, Viscount McShane, John James Smith, Rennie (Penistone)
England, Colonel A. Malone, C. L'Estrange (N'thampton) Smith, W. R. (Norwich)
Foot, Isaac Manning, E. L. Snowden, Thomas (Accrington)
Freeman, Peter Mansfield, W. Sorensen, R.
Gardner, B. W. (West Ham, Upton) March, S. Stamford, Thomas W.
George, Major G. Lloyd (Pembroke) Marcus, M. Strauss, G. R.
George, Megan Lloyd (Anglesea) Markham, S. F. Sullivan, J.
Gibbins, Joseph Marshall, Fred Sutton, J. E.
Gibson, H. M. (Lancs, Mossley) Mathers, George Taylor, R. A. (Lincoln)
Gill, T. H. Matters, L. W. Taylor, W. B. (Norfolk, S. W.)
Glassey, A. E. Maxton, James Thurtle, Ernest
Gossling, A. G. Messer, Fred Tillett, Ben
Gould, F. Middleton, G. Tinker, John Joseph
Graham, Rt. Hon. Wm. (Edin., Cent.) Millar, J. D. Toole, Joseph
Granville, E. Mills, J. E. Tout, W. J.
Gray, Milner Milner, Major J. Townend, A. E.
Greenwood, Rt. Hon. A. (Colne) Montague, Frederick Vaughan, David
Grenfell, D. R. (Glamorgan) Morgan, Dr. H. B. Viant, S. P.
Griffiths, T. (Monmouth, Pontypool) Morley, Ralph Walkden, A. G.
Grundy, Thomas W. Morris, Rhys Hopkins Walker, J.
Hall, G. H. (Merthyr Tydvil) Morris-Jones, Dr. J. H. (Denbigh) Wallace, H. W.
Hall, J. H. (Whitechapel) Morrison, Robert C. (Tottenham, N.) Watkins, F. C.
Hall, Capt. W. G. (Portsmouth, C.) Mort, D. L. Watson, W. M. (Dunfermline)
Hamilton, Mary Agnes (Blackburn) Muff, G. Watts-Morgan, Lt.-Col. D. (Rhondda)
Hamilton, Sir R. (Orkney & Zetland) Muggeridge, H. T. Wellock, Wilfred
Harbord, A. Murnin, Hugh Welsh, James (Paisley)
Harris, Percy A. Newman, Sir R. H. S. D. L. (Exeter) Welsh, James C. (Coatbridge)
Hastings, Dr. Somerville Noel-Buxton, Baroness (Norfolk, N.) West, F. R.
Hayday, Arthur Oldfield, J. R. Westwood, Joseph
Henderson, Thomas (Glasgow) Oliver, George Harold (Ilkeston) White, H. G.
Harriotts, J. Oliver, P. M. (Man., Blackley) Whiteley, Wilfrid (Birm., Ladywood)
Hicks, Ernest George Owen, Major G. (Carnarvon) Whiteley, William (Blaydon)
Hirst, G. H. (York W. R. Wentworth) Palin, John Henry Wilkinson, Ellen C.
Hirst, W. (Bradford, South) Paling, Wilfrid Williams, David (Swansea, East)
Hoffman, P. C. Palmer, E. T. Williams, Dr. J. H. (Llanelly)
Hopkin, Daniel Parkinson, John Allen (Wigan) Wilson, C. H. (Sheffield, Attercliffe)
Hore-Belisha, Leslie Perry, S. F. Wilson, R. J. (Jarrow)
Horrabin, J. F. Pethick-Lawrence, F. W. Winterton, G. E. (Leicester, Loughb'gh)
Hudson, James H. (Huddersfield) Phillips, Dr. Marion Wise, E. F.
Hunter, Dr. Joseph Picton-Turbervill, Edith Wood, Major McKenzie (Banff)
Isaacs, George Pole, Major D. G. Young, R. S. (Islington, North)
Jenkins, Sir William Potts, John S.
John, William (Rhondda, West) Pybus, Percy John TELLERS FOR THE AYES.—
Jones, Llewellyn-, F. Quibell, D. J. K. Mr. Charles Edwards and Mr.
Jones, Henry Haydn (Merioneth) Ramsay, T. B. Wilson Charleton.
Jones, Rt. Hon. Lelf (Camborne) Rathbone, Eleanor
NOES.
Acland-Troyte, Lieut.-Colonel Allen, Sir J. Sandeman (Liverp'l. W.) Astor, Viscountess
Ainsworth, Lieut.-Col. Charles Allen, Lt.-Col. Sir William (Armagh) Atholl, Duchess of
Albery, Irving James Amery, Rt. Hon. Leopold C. M. S. Atkinson, C.
Alexander, Sir Wm. (Glasgow, Cent'l) Ashley, Lt.-Col. Rt. Hon. Willfrid W. Baldwin, Rt. Hon. Stanley (Bewdley)
Balfour, George (Hampstead) Ferguson, Sir John O'Connor, T. J.
Balfour, Captain H. H. (I. of Thanet) Fermoy, Lord Oman, Sir Charles William C.
Balniel, Lord Fielden, E. B. O'Neill, Sir H.
Beamish, Bear-Admiral T. P. H. Fison, P. G. Clavering Ormsby-Gore, Rt. Hon. William
Beaumont, M. W. Forestier-Walker, Sir L. Peake, Capt. Osbert
Bellairs, Commander Carlyon Fremantle, Lieut.-Colonel Francis E. Penny, Sir George
Betterton, Sir Henry B. Galbraith, J. F. W. Percy, Lord Eustace (Hastings)
Bevan, S. J. (Holborn) Ganzonl, Sir John Peto, Sir Basil E. (Devon, Barnstaple)
Birchall, Major Sir John Dearman Gault, Lieut.-Col. A. Hamilton Ramsbotham, H.
Bird, Ernest Roy Gibson, C. G. (Pudsey & Otley) Rawson, Sir Cooper
Boothby, R. J. G. Gilmour, Lt.-Col. Rt. Hon. Sir John Reid, David D. (County Down)
Bowater, Col. Sir T. Vansittart Glyn, Major R. G. C. Remer, John R.
Bowyer, Captain Sir George E. W. Gower, Sir Robert Reynolds, Col. Sir James
Boyce, Leslie Grace, John Richardson. Sir P. W. (Sur'y, Ch'ts'y)
Bracken, B. Graham, Fergus (Cumberland, N) Roberts, Sir Samuel (Ecclesall)
Braithwaite, Major A. N. Grattan-Doyle, Sir N. Rodd, Rt. Hon. Sir James Rennell
Brass, Captain Sir William Greene, W. P. Crawford Ross, Ronald D.
Briscoe, Richard George Grenfell, Edward C. (City of London) Ruggles-Brise, Colonel E.
Broadbent, Colonel J. Gretton, Colonel Rt. Hon. John Russell, Alexander West (Tynemouth)
Brown, Col. D. C. (N'th'l'd., Hexham) Gunston, Captain D. W. Salmon, Major I.
Brown, Brig.-Gen. H. C. (Berks, Newb'y) Hacking, Rt. Hon. Douglas H. Samuel, A. M. (Surrey, Farnham)
Buchan-Hepburn, P. G. T. Hamilton, Sir George (Ilford) Sandeman, Sir N. Stewart
Buchan, John Hammersley, S. S. Sassoon, Rt. Hon. Sir Philip A. G. D.
Bullock, Captain Malcolm Hannon, Patrick Joseph Henry Savery, S. S.
Burton, Colonel H. W. Hartington, Marquess of Shepperson, Sir Ernest Whittome
Butler, R. A. Harvey, Major S. E. (Devon, Totnes) Simms, Major-General J.
Butt, Sir Alfred Haslam, Henry C. Sinclair, Col. T. (Queen's U., Belfast)
Cadogan, Major Hon. Edward Henderson, Capt. R. R. (Oxf'd, Henley) Skelton, A. N.
Carver, Major W. H. Heneage, Lieut.-Colonel Arthur P. Smith, Louis W. (Sheffield, Hallam)
Cattle Stewart, Earl of Hills, Major Rt. Hon. John Waller Smith, R. W. (Aberd'n & Kinc'dine, C.)
Cautley, Sir Henry S. Hoare, Lt.-Col. Rt. Hon. Sir S. J. G. Smith-Carington, Neville W.
Cayzer, Sir C. (Chester, City) Howard-Bury, Colonel C. K, Smithers, Waldron
Cazalet, Captain Victor A. Hudson, Capt. A. U. M. (Hackney, N.) Somerset, Thomas
Cecil, Rt. Hon. Lord H. (Ox, Univ.) Hunter-Weston, Lt.-Gen. Sir Aylmer Somerville, A. A. (Windsor)
Chadwick, Capt. Sir Robert Burton Hurd, Percy A. Somerville, D. G. (Willesden, East)
Chamberlain, Rt. Hn. Sir J. A. (Birm., W.) Hurst, Sir Gerald B. Southby, Commander A. R. J.
Chamberlain, Rt. Hon. N. (Edgbaston) Inskip, Sir Thomas Spender-Clay, Colonel H.
Christie, J. A. Jones, Sir G. W. H. (Stoke New'gton) Stanley, Lord (Fylde)
Clydesdale, Marquess of Kindersley, Major G. M. Stanley, Hon. O (Westmorland)
Cobb, Sir Cyril Knox, Sir Alfred Stuart, Hon. J. (Moray and Nairn)
Cohen, Major J. Brunel Lamb, Sir J. Q. Sueter, Rear Admiral M. F.
Colfox, Major William Philip Lane Fox, Col. Rt. Hon. George R. Thomas, Major L. B. (King's Norton)
Colman, N. C. D. Latham, H. P. (Scarboro' & Whitby) Thompson, Luke
Colville, Major D. J. Law, Sir Alfred (Derby, High Peak) Thomson, Sir F.
Conway, Sir W. Martin Leigh, Sir John (Clapham) Thomson, Mitchell-, Rt. Hon. Sir W.
Courtauld, Major J. S. Leighton, Major B. E. P. Tinne, J. A.
Courthope, Colonel Sir G. L. Lewis, Oswald (Colchester) Titchfield, Major the Marquess of
Cowan, D. M. Little, Graham-, Sir Ernest Train, J.
Cranborne, Viscount Llewellin, Major J. J. Tryon, Rt. Hon. George Clement.
Crookshank, Cpt. H. (Lindsey, Gainsbro) Locker-Lampson, Rt. Hon. Godfrey Turton, Robert Hugh
Culverwell, C. T. (Bristol, West) Locker-Lampton, Com. O. (Handsw'th) Vaughan-Morgan, Sir Kenyon
Cunliffe-Lister, Rt. Hon. Sir Philip Long, Major Hon. Eric Wallace, Capt. D. E. (Hornsey)
Dalkeith, Earl of Lymington, Viscount Ward. Lieut. Col. Sir A. Lambert
Dairymple-White, Lt.-Col. Sir Godfrey Macdonald, Capt. P. D. (I. of W.) Warrender, Sir Victor
Davidson, Rt. Hon. J. (Hertford) Maitland. A. (Kent, Faversham) Waterhouse, Captain Charles
Davies, Dr. Vernon Makins, Brigadier-General E. Wayland, Sir William A.
Davies, Maj. Geo. F. (Somerset, Yeovil) Margesson, Captain H. D. Wells, Sydney R.
Davison, Sir W. H. (Kensington, S.) Marjoribanks, Edward Williams, Charles (Devon, Torquay)
Dawson, Sir Philip Mason, Colonel Glyn K. Wilson, G. H. A. (Cambridge U.)
Despencer-Robertson, Major J. A. F. Meller, R. J. Winterton, Rt. Hon. Earl
Dixey, A. C. Merriman, Sir F. Boyd Withers, Sir John James
Duckworth, G. A. V. Milne, Wardlaw-, J. S. Wolmer, Rt. Hon. Viscount
Dugdale, Capt. T. L. Mitchell, Sir W. Lane (Streatham) Womersley, W. J.
Eden, Captain Anthony Moore, Sir Newton J. (Richmond) Wood, Rt. Hon. Sir Kingsley
Edmondson, Major A. J. Moore, Lieut.-Colonel T. C. R. (Ayr) Wright, Brig.-Gen. W. D. (Tavist'k)
Elliot, Major Walter E. Morrison, W. S. (Glos., Cirencester) Young, Rt. Hon. Sir Hilton
Erskine, Lord (Somerset, Weston. s. M.) Muirhead, A. J.
Evans, Capt. Ernest (Welsh Univer) Newton, Sir D. G. C. (Cambridge) TELLERS FOR THE NOES.—
Everard, W. Lindsay Nicholson, O. (Westminster) Commander Sir B. Eyres Monsell
Falle, Sir Bertram G. Nicholson, Col. Rt. Hn. W. G. (Ptrsf'ld) and Major Sir George Hennessy.

It being after half-past Ten of the Clock, Mr. SPEAKER proceeded, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 3rd March, successively to put forthwith the Questions on any Amendments moved by the Government of which notice had been given to that part of the Bill to be concluded at this day's sitting.

Amendment proposed: In page 2, line 10, to leave out the words "voting at," and to insert instead thereof the word "conducting."—[Mr. Clynes.]

Question put, "That the Amendment be made."

The House divided: Ayes, 260; Noes, 218.

Division No. 256.] AYES. [10.40 p.m.
Adamson, Rt. Hon. W. (Fife, West) Harbord, A. Noel-Buxton, Baroness (Norfolk, N.)
Adamson, W. M. (Staff., Cannock) Harris, Percy A. Oldfield, J. R.
Addison, Rt. Hon. Dr. Christopher Hastings, Dr. Somerville Oliver, George Harold (Ilkeston)
Alexander, Rt. Hon. A. V. (Hillsbro') Hayday, Arthur Oliver, P. M. (Man., Blackley)
Alpass, J. H. Henderson, Thomas (Glasgow) Owen, Major G. (Carnarvon)
Ammon, Charles George Herriotts, J. Palin, John Henry.
Angell, Sir Norman Hicks, Ernest George Paling, Wilfrid
Arnott, John Hirst, G. H. (York W. R. Wentworth) Palmer, E. T.
Aske, Sir Robert Hirst, W. (Bradford, South) Parkinson, John Allen (Wigan)
Attlee, Clement Richard Hoffman, P. C. Perry, S. F.
Ayles, Walter Hopkin, Daniel Pethick-Lawrence, F. W.
Baker, John (Wolverhampton, Bilston) Hore-Belisha, Leslie Phillips, Dr. Marion
Barnes, Alfred John Horrabin, J. F. Picton-Turbervill, Edith
Barr, James Hudson, James H. (Huddersfield) Pole, Major D. G.
Batey, Joseph Hunter, Dr. Joseph Potts, John S.
Bennett, Sir E. N. (Cardin, Central) Isaacs, George Pybus, Percy John
Bennett, William (Battersea, South) Jenkins, Sir William Quibell, D. J. K.
Benson, G. John, William (Rhondda, West) Ramsay, T. B. Wilson
Bevan, Aneurin (Ebbw Vale) Jones, Llewellyn-, F. Rathbone, Eleanor
Blindell, James Jones, Henry Haydn (Merioneth) Raynes, W. R.
Bondfield, Rt. Hon. Margaret Jones, Rt. Hon. Lelf (Camborne) Richards, R.
Bowen, J. W. Jowett, Rt. Hon. F. W. Richardson, R. (Houghton-le-Spring)
Bowerman, Rt. Hon. Charles W. Kedward, R. M. (Kent, Ashford) Riley, Ben (Dewsbury)
Broad, Francis Alfred Kelly, W. T. Ritson, J.
Bromfield, William Kennedy, Rt. Hon. Thomas Romeril, H. G.
Brooke, W. Kenworthy, Lt -Com. Hon. Joseph M. Rosbotham, D. S. T.
Brothers, M. Kirkwood, D. Rothschild, J. de
Brown, C. W. E. (Notts, Mansfield) Knight, Holford Rowson, Guy
Brown, Ernest (Leith) Lang, Gordon Russell, Richard John (Eddisbury)
Buchanan, G. Lansbury, Rt. Hon. George Salter, Dr. Alfred
Burgess, F. G. Lathan, G. (Sheffield, Park) Samuel, Rt. Hon. Sir H. (Darwen)
Burgin, Dr. E. L. Law, Albert (Bolton) Samuel, H. W. (Swansea, West)
Buxton, C. R. (Yorks, W. R. Elland) Law, A. (Rossendale) Sanders, W. S.
Caine, Hall-, Derwent Lawrence, Susan Sandham, E.
Carter, W. (St. Pancras, S. W.) Lawson, John James Sawyer, G. F.
Chater, Daniel Lawther, W. (Barnard Castle) Scott, James
Clarke, J. S. Leach, W. Scurr, John
Cluse, W. S. Lee, Frank (Derby, N. E.) Sexton, Sir James
Clynes, Rt. Hon. John R. Lee, Jennie (Lanark, Northern) Shakespeare, Geoffrey H.
Cocks, Frederick Seymour Lees, J. Shaw, Rt. Hon. Thomas (Preston)
Cove, William G. Leonard, W. Shepherd, Arthur Lewis
Cowan, D. M. Lindley, Fred W. Sherwood, G. H.
Cripps, Sir Stafford Lloyd, C. Ellis Shiels, Dr. Drummond
Daggar, George Logan, David Gilbert Shillaker, J. F.
Dallas, George Longbottom, A. W. Short, Alfred (Wednesbury)
Dalton, Hugh Lovat-Fraser, J. A. Simmons, C. J.
Davies, D. L. (Pontypridd) Lunn, William Sinclair, Sir A. (Caithness)
Davies, E. C. (Montgomery) MacDonald, Rt. Hon. J. R. (Seaham) Sinkinson, George
Davies, Rhys John (Westhoughton) MacDonald, Malcolm (Bassetlaw) Sitch, Charles H.
Day, Harry Macdonald, Sir M. (Inverness) Smith, Frank (Nuneaton)
Denman, Hon. R. D McElwee, A. Smith, Lees-, Rt. Hon. H. B. (Keigbley)
Dudgeon, Major C. R. McEntee, V. L. Smith, Rennie (Penistone)
Duncan, Charles McKinlay, A. Smith, W. R. (Norwich)
Ede, James Chuter Maclean, Sir Donald (Cornwall, N.) Snowden, Thomas (Accrington)
Edge, Sir William MacNeill-Weir, L. Sorensen, H.
Edmunds, J. E. McShane, John James Stamford, Thomas W.
Edwards, E. (Morpeth) Malone, C. L'Estrange (N'thampton) Stephen, Campbell
Elmley, Viscount Manning, E. L. Strachey, E. J. St. Los
England, Colonel A. Mansfield, W. Strauss, G. R.
Foot, Isaac Marcus, M. Sullivan, J.
Freeman, Peter Markham, S. F. Sutton, J. E.
Gardner, B. W. (West Ham, Upton) Marley, J. Taylor, R. A. (Lincoln)
George, Major G. Lloyd (Pembroke) Marshall, Fred Taylor, W. B. (Norfolk, S. W.)
George, Megan Lloyd (Anglesea) Mathers, George Thurtle, Ernest
Gibbins, Joseph Matters, L. W. Tillett, Ben
Gibson, H. M. (Lancs, Mossley) Maxton, James Tinker, John Joseph
Gill, T. H. Messer, Fred Toole, Joseph
Glassey, A. E. Middleton, G. Tout, W. J.
Gossling, A. G. Millar, J. D. Townend, A. E
Gould, F. Mills, J. E. Vaughan, David
Graham, Rt. Hon. Wm. (Edin., Cent.) Milner, Major J. Viant, S. P.
Granville, E. Montague, Frederick Walkden, A. G.
Gray, Milner Morgan, Dr. H. B. Walker, J.
Greenwood, Rt. Hon. A. (Colne). Morley, Ralph Wallace, H. W.
Grenfell, D. R. (Glamorgan) Morris, Rhys Hopkins Watkins, F. C.
Griffiths, T. (Monmouth, Pontypool) Morris-Jones, Dr. J. H. (Denbigh) Watson, W. M. (Dunfermline)
Groves, Thomas E. Morrison, Robert C. (Tottenham, N.) Watts-Morgan, Lt.-Col. D. (Rhondda)
Grundy, Thomas W, Mort, D. L. Wellock, Wilfred
Hall, G. H. (Merthyr Tydvil) Muff, G. Welsh, James (Paisley)
Hall, J. H. (Whitechapel) Muggeridge, H. T. Welsh, James C. (Coatbridge)
Hall, Capt. W. P. (Portsmouth, C.) Murnin, Hugh West, F. R.
Hamilton, Mary Agnes (Blackburn) Naylor, T. E. Westwood, Joseph
Hamilton, Sir R. (Orkney & Zetland) Newman, Sir R. H. S. D. L. (Exeter) White, H. G.
Whiteley, Wilfrid (Birm., Ladywood) Wilson, C. H. (Sheffield, Attercliffe) Young, R. S. (Islington, North)
Whiteley, William (Blaydon) Wilson, R. J. (Jarrow)
Wilkinson, Ellen C. Winterton, G. E. (Leicester, Loughb'gh) TELLERS FOR THE AYES.—
Williams, David (Swansea, East) Wise, E. F. Mr. Charles Edwards and Mr.
Williams, Dr. J. H. (Llanelly) Wood, Major McKenzie (Banff) Charleton.
NOES.
Acland-Troyte, Lieut.-Colonel Dixey, A. C. Moore, Lieut.-Colonel T. C. R. (Ayr)
Ainsworth, Lieut.-Col. Charles Duckworth, G. A. V. Morrison, W. S. (Glos., Cirencester)
Albery, Irving James Dugdale, Capt. T. L. Muirhead, A. J.
Alexander, Sir Wm. (Glasgow, Cent'l) Eden, Captain Anthony Newton, Sir D. G. C. (Cambridge)
Allen, Sir J. Sandeman (Liverp'l., W.) Edmondson, Major A. J. Nicholson, O. (Westminster)
Allen, Lt.-Col. Sir William (Armagh) Elliot, Major Walter E. Nicholson. Col. Rt. Hn. W. G. (Ptrsf'ld)
Amery, Rt. Hon. Leopold C. M. S. Erskine, Lord (Somerset, Weston-s.-M.) O'Connor, T. J.
Ashley, Lt.-Col. Rt. Hon. Wilfrid W. Everard, W. Lindsay Oman, Sir Charles William C.
Astor, Viscountess Falle, Sir Bertram G. O'Neill, Sir H.
Atholl, Duchess of Ferguson, Sir John Ormsby-Gore, Rt. Hon. William
Atkinson, C. Fermoy, Lord Peake, Capt. Osbert
Baldwin, Rt. Hon. Stanley (Bewdley) Fielden, E. B. Penny, Sir George
Balfour, George (Hampstead) Fison, F. G. Clavering Percy, Lord Eustace (Hastings)
Balfour, Captain H. H. (I. of Thanet) Forestier-Walker, Sir L. Peto, Sir Basil E. (Devon, Barnstaple)
Balniel, Lord Fremantle, Lieut.-Colonel Francis E. Ramsbotham, H.
Beamish, Rear-Admiral T. P. H. Galbraith, J. F. W. Rawson, Sir Cooper
Beaumont, M. W. Ganzoni, Sir John Reid, David D. (County Down)
Bellairs, Commander Carlyon Gauit, Lieut.-Col. A. Hamilton Remer, John R.
Betterton, Sir Henry B. Gibson, C. G. (Pudsey & Otley) Reynolds, Col. Sir James
Bevan, S. J. (Holborn) Gilmour, Lt.-Col. Rt. Hon. Sir John Richardson, Sir P. W. (Sur'y, Ch'te'y)
Birchall, Major Sir John Dearman Glyn, Major R. G. C. Roberts, Sir Samuel (Ecclesall)
Bird, Ernest Roy Gower, Sir Robert Rodd, Rt. Hon. Sir James Rennell
Boothby, R. J. G. Grace, John Ross, Ronald D.
Bourne, Captain Robert Croft Graham, Fergus (Cumberland, N.) Ruggles-Brise, Colonel E.
Bowater, Col. Sir T. Vansittart Grattan-Doyle, Sir N. Russell, Alexander West (Tynemouth)
Bowyer, Captain Sir George E. W. Greene, W. P. Crawford Salmon, Major I.
Boyce, Leslie Grenfell, Edward C. (City of London) Samuel, A. M. (Surrey, Farnham)
Bracken, B. Gretton, Colonel Rt. Hon. John Sandeman, Sir N. Stewart
Braithwaite, Major A. N. Gunston, Captain D. W. Sassoon, Rt. Hon. Sir Philip A. G. D.
Brass, Captain Sir William Hacking, Rt. Hon. Douglas H. Savery, S. S.
Briscoe, Richard George Hamilton, Sir George (Ilford) Shepperson, Sir Ernest Whittome
Broadbent, Colonel J. Hammersley, S. S. Simms, Major-General J.
Brown, Col. D. C. (N'th'l'd., Hexham) Hannon, Patrick Joseph Henry Sinclair, Col. T. (Queen's U., Belfast)
Brown, Brig.-Gen. H. C. (Berks, Newb'y) Hartington, Marquess of Skelton, A. N.
Buchan, John Harvey, Major S. E. (Devon, Totnes) Smith, Louis W. (Sheffield Hallam)
Buchan-Hapburn, P. G. T. Haslam, Henry C. Smith, R. W. (Aberd'n & Kinc'dine, C.)
Bullock, Captain Malcolm Henderson, Capt. R. R. (Oxf'd, Henley) Smith-Carington, Neville W.
Burton, Colonel H. W. Heneage, Lieut.-Colonel Arthur P. Smithers, Waldron
Butler, R. A. Herbert, Sir Dennis (Hertford) Somerset, Thomas
Butt, Sir Alfred Hills, Major Rt. Hon. John Waller Somerville, A. A. (Windsor)
Cadogan, Major Hon. Edward Hoare, Lt.-Col. Rt. Hon. Sir S. J. G. Somerville. D. G. (Willesden, East)
Carver, Major W. H. Howard-Bury, Colonel C. K. Southby, Commander A. R. J.
Castle Stewart, Earl of Hudson, Capt. A. U. M. (Hackney, N.) Spender-Clay, Colonel H.
Cautley, Sir Henry S. Hunter-Weston, Lt.-Gen. Sir Aylmer Stanley, Lord (Fylde)
Cayzer, Sir C. (Chester, City) Hurd, Percy A Stanley, Hon. O. (Westmorland)
Cazalet, Captain Victor A. Hurst, Sir Gerald B. Stuart, Hon. J. (Moray and Nairn)
Cecil, Rt. Hon. Lord H. (Ox. Univ.) Inskip, Sir Thomas Sueter, Rear-Admiral M. F.
Chadwick, Capt. Sir Robert Burton Jones, Sir G. W. H. (Stoke New'gton) Thomas, Major L. B. (King's Norton)
Chamberlain, Rt. Hn. Sir J. A. (Birm., W.) Kindersley, Major G. M. Thompson, Luke
Chamberlain, Rt. Hon. N. (Edgbaston) Knox, Sir Alfred Thomson, Mitchell-, Rt. Hon. Sir W.
Christie, J. A. Lamb, Sir J. Q. Tinne, J. A.
Clydesdale, Marquess of Lane Fox, Col. Rt. Hon. George R. Titchfield, Major the Marquess of
Cobb, Sir Cyril Latham, H. P. (Scarboro' & Whitby) Train, J.
Cockerill, Brig.-General Sir George Law, Sir Alfred (Derby, High Peak) Tryon, Rt. Hon. George Clement
Cohen, Major J. Brunel Leigh, Sir John (Clapham) Turton, Robert Hugh
Colfox, Major William Philip Leighton, Major B. E. P. Vaughan-Morgan, Sir Kenyon
Colman, N. C. D. Lewis, Oswald (Colchester) Wallace, Capt. D. E. (Hornsey)
Colville, Major D. J. Little, Graham-, Sir Ernest Ward, Lieut.-Col. Sir A. Lambert
Conway, Sir W. Martin Llewellin, Major J. J. Warrender, Sir Victor
Courtauld, Major J. S. Locker-Lampson, Rt. Hon. Godfrey Waterhouse, Captain Charles
Courthope, Colonel Sir G. L. Locker-Lampson, Com. O. (Handsw'th) Wayland, Sir William A.
Cranborne, Viscount Lymington, Viscount Wells, Sydney R.
Crichton-Stuart, Lord C. Macdonald, Capt. P. D. (I. of W.) Williams, Charles (Devon, Torquay)
Crookshank, Cpt. H. (Lindsey, Gainsbro) Maitland, A. (Kent, Faversham) Wilson, G. H. A. (Cambridge U.)
Culverwell, C. T. (Bristol, West) Makins, Brigadier-General E. Winterton, Rt. Hon. Earl
Cunliffe-Lister, Rt. Hon. Sir Philip Margesson, Captain H. D. Withers, Sir John James
Dalkeith, Earl of Marjoribanks, Edward Wolmer, Rt. Hon. Viscount
Dairymple-White, Lt.-Col. Sir Godfrey Mason, Colonel Glyn K. Womersley, W. J.
Davidson, Rt. Hon. J. (Hertford) Meller, R. J. Wood, Rt. Hon. Sir Kingsley
Davies, Dr. Vernon Merriman, Sir F. Boyd Wright, Brig.-Gen. W. D. (Tavlst'k)
Davies, Maj. Geo. F. (Somerset, Yeovil) Milne, Wardlaw-, J. S. Young, Rt. Hon. Sir Hilton
Davison, Sir W. H. (Kensington, S.) Mitchell, Sir W. Lane (Streatham)
Dawson, Sir Philip Monsell, Eyres, Com. Rt. Hon. Sir B. TELLERS FOR THE NOES.—
Despencer-Robertson, Major J. A. F. Moore, Sir Newton J. (Richmond) Major Sir George Hennessy and
Sir Frederick Thomson.

Amendment proposed: In page 2, line 14, at the end, to insert the words "or to any university constituency."—[Mr. Clynes.]

Question, "That the Amendment be made," put, and agreed to.