Sitting of 25 October 1935

Preamble
The House met at Eleven of the Clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.
PROROGATION.

  HIS MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH.
  Mr. SPEAKER: A Royal Commission has been appointed for a quarter-past Eleven. I do not propose, therefore, to go through the Orders, but to wait until a Message comes from the other place.
  Message to attend the Lords Commissioners.
  The House went; and, having returned,
  Mr. SPEAKER: I have to acquaint the House that, the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission under the Great Seal was read. The Lord High Chancellor, being one of the High Commissioners, delivered His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of His Majesty's Commands as followeth:
  MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
  To both The Queen and to Myself this—My Silver Jubilee year—will ever remain one of Our happiest memories. The wonderful tributes of affection which We have received from every part of My Empire will be treasured in Our hearts so long as We live.
  I was happy to welcome in London My Prime Ministers from My Dominions overseas, and the representative of India, who came to take part in the celebrations of My Silver Jubilee.
  My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly.
  The critical situation which has unhappily arisen between Italy and Abyssinia has aroused My gravest concern. From the moment that a dispute occurred between the two countries as the result of a frontier incident in December of last year My Government have exerted themselves to the utmost, both individually and in co-operation with other States members of the League of Nations, to promote a peaceful settlement. To My regret these persistent endeavours did not avail to prevent a resort to force, and My Government have loyally supported the
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  efforts of the League of Nations with a view to the restoration of peace and the achievement of an equitable settlement in the spirit of the Covenant.
  I have given My assent to a Bill to make provision for the future government of India and Burma, which, must stand in the records of both your Houses as one of the weightiest and most complex measures with which Parliament has ever dealt. I trust that when the further steps required to bring the Act into operation have been taken its provisions will not only bring contentment and well-being to the people of India and Burma, but draw closer the bonds of amity between them and the rest of My Empire.
  MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
  I thank you for the provision you have made for the public service.
  MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
  The more confident spirit of industry, the continued growth in the national revenue, and the prudent and successful management of our financial affairs have permitted a further considerable advance towards prosperity. I rejoice that it has been possible for My Government, notwithstanding new and pressing claims from many directions, to remove the greater part of the extra burdens imposed four years ago and, in particular, to grant substantial relief to the small taxpayer.
  I am gratified to observe a further steady increase in employment among My People during the past year. Despite many adverse conditions in the international trade position, the overseeas trade of this country continues to expand, especially with the other Parts of the Empire and with the foreign countries with which trade agreements have been concluded.
  The effects of the increase in employment cannot but be felt, to a greater or less degree, in all localities, but in some areas the problem of unemployment continues to present special difficulties. Among other measures

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  an Act passed at the beginning of the Session provided for the appointment of Commissioners for the Special Areas in England and Wales and in Scotland, respectively, who are devoting their attention to improving the conditions of those areas under the powers conferred upon them. Interim Reports made by these Commissioners were laid before Parliament in July. Further progress has since been made, and My Ministers are continuing to give close and anxious attention to the problems of these areas in all their bearings.
  Regulations relating to unemployment assistance were approved by Parliament in December. Unexpected difficulties were met in the application of these Regulations and an Act passed in February contained temporary provisions for dealing with the situation thus arising.
  While My Government have not ceased, and will not cease, their continuing efforts to promote the limitation and reduction by international agreement of all forms of armament, it has been found impossible to postpone further the expansion of the Royal Air Force to a strength which will enable it to fulfil its vital duties in National and Imperial Defence; and the programme necessary to give effect to this has now been undertaken.
  Far-reaching proposals have been announced for the improvement and acceleration of Imperial air communications and plans for their further development are under active consideration.
  Important postal, telegraph and telephone concessions have been introduced during the year.
  Highway authorities have been asked to submit their programmes of road improvements on a quinquennial instead of an annual basis. The response augurs well for the scientific planning of our roads to meet modern requirements.
  I have given My assent to a Bill providing for the control of ribbon development along the frontages of
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  roads and for the prevention of interference with traffic.
  My assent has also been given to a Bill which provides, for the first time, for a full survey of overcrowding and equips local authorities with new powers for dealing with the twin evils of slums and overcrowding, while at the same time remedying certain anomalies in the law which pressed unfairly on owners of house property.
  During the year progress both in the clearance and replacement of slums and in the provision of additional houses has been on an unprecedented scale.
  Provision has been made for safeguarding insured persons against the loss of their pension rights and certain of their health insurance rights by reason of unemployment.
  Measures have been enacted providing for further assistance to the agricultural industry, for the reorganisation of the herring industry, for a temporary subsidy to assist tramp shipping and for the grant of loans to shipowners to facilitate the replacing of obsolete with modern cargo vessels.
  Acts have been passed amending the law relating to the legal position of married women, and to the right to recover damages against joint tortfeasors, to make provision for an increase in the number of Judges attached to the King's Bench Division, and to make improvements in the procedure of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division.
  I have given My assent to a Bill providing that persons who have failed to pay fines or other money payments, in pursuance of the order of a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, shall not be committed to prison without a further adjudication by the Court on their circumstances.
  Among Bills relating to Scotland which have received My assent are measures providing for the better housing of the people, and for the continuation and amendment of legislation relating to the Education Endowments Commissioners.
  In bidding you farewell, I earnestly commend you to the merciful protection and guidance of Almighty God.
  Then a Commission for Proroguing the Parliament was read in the House of Lords.
  After which the LORD CHANCELLOR said:
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,—By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name and in obedience to His Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the
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  nineteenth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-five, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued until Tuesday, the nineteenth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-five.
  End of the Fourth Session (opened Tuesday, 20 th November, 1934) of the Thirty-sixth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Twenty-sixth year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Fifth.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
  APPLICATIONS (STATISTICS).
  APPLICATIONS (STATISTICS).
  HULL (GOVERNMENT INQUIRY).
  HULL (GOVERNMENT INQUIRY).
  HOUSING (STATISTICS).
  HOUSING (STATISTICS).
  OLD AGE PENSIONS.
  OLD AGE PENSIONS.
AGRICULTURE.
  LAND DRAINAGE ACT, 1930.
  LAND DRAINAGE ACT, 1930.
  TOBACCO GROWING.
  TOBACCO GROWING.
TRADE AND COMMERCE.
  IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY.
  IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY.
  AEROPLANES (EXPORTS).
  AEROPLANES (EXPORTS).
  BEER AND SPIRITS.
  BEER AND SPIRITS.
  GOLD.
  GOLD.
SCOTLAND.
  LAND SETTLEMENT, INVERNESS-SHIRE.
  LAND SETTLEMENT, INVERNESS-SHIRE.
  SHEEP-BREEDING (HILL LAND RECLAMATION).
  SHEEP-BREEDING (HILL LAND RECLAMATION).
  DRUNKENNESS.
  DRUNKENNESS.
  ITALY AND ABYSSINIA.
  ITALY AND ABYSSINIA.
Preamble
The House met at eleven of the clock, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.

LORD DE CLIFFORD.
Order of the Day for the consideration of the Report from the Select Committee read.
The Committee reported as follows:
That the Committee have met and considered the subject referred to them, and have agreed to the following Report, namely:
1.That it appears desirable for the end of public justice that the trial of Edward Southwell, Lord de Clifford, should take place with all convenient speed.
2. That the Committee are of opinion that the trial should take place in the Royal Gallery.
3. That the Committee are of opinion that it is expedient that a decision as to the date to be fixed for the trial should be deferred until the assembly of the new Parliament.
4. That the Committee are of opinion that the Judges be summoned to attend.
5. That the Committee are of opinion that the Lord Chancellor be requested, as soon as the date of the trial has been fixed by the House, to write a letter to every Lord to acquaint him that the trial of the Lord de Clifford has been ordered to take place on such a date at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and that it will be convenient if his Lordship will signify before a date to be named in the said letter whether he intends to be present and to take part in the trial.
6. That on the day appointed for the said trial the Lords do meet in the House of Lords in their Robes at eleven of the clock in the forenoon.
7. That every day during the trial the names of the Lords present be set down by the Clerk of this House.
8. That the Lord High Steward do acquaint the Lord to be tried and all other persons who may have occasion to speak in the Court, that they address themselves to the Lords in general and not to the Lord High Steward.
9. That the Lords do keep their places in the Court during the said trial.
10. That, save as hereinafter provided, no person whatsoever, except the Lords of this House, be admitted within the Bar.
D. That in case the Lord indicted should plead guilty to his indictment, the Lords do immediately withdraw to the House of Lords.
12. That if any doubt shall arise during the said trial no debate shall be had thereupon till the Lords be first withdrawn.
13. That every Lord when he gives his judgment shall declare his opinion upon his honour, laying his right hand upon his breast.
14. That a Proclamation to be made in the Court during the said trial be made in the King's name.
15. That none be covered at the trial but the Lords.
16. That the Serjeant-at-Arms be within the House to make Proclamations, which are to be made in the King's name, for keeping silence.
17. That the Lord de Clifford be seated within the Bar uncoverd and without his robes.
18. That forty seats be reserved for such Peers of Scotland and Ireland as do not sit in the House, Minor Peers and the eldest sons of Peers, and that each person to be so admitted be provided with a non-transferable ticket for such admission upon application to the Lord Great Chamberlain at his office, at the House of Lords, and that if the number of applications exceeds the number of tickets available, the tickets should be allotted by ballot.
19. That eighty seats be reserved for Peeresses for which non-transferable tickets will be issued to Lords of Parliament upon application to the Lord Great Chamberlain at his office, at the House of Lords, and that if the number of applications exceeds the number of tickets available the tickets should be allotted by ballot.
20. That 200 tickets for places below the Bar be issued: one of these tickets to be delivered to each Lord of Parliament upon application to the Lord Great Chamberlain at his office, at the House of Lords, and that if the number of applications exceeds the number of tickets available the tickets should be allotted by ballot.
21. That 100 tickets be set apart for Members of the House of Commons.
22. That Counsel for the Crown and the prisoner, and other persons necessary for the due conduct of the trial, be admitted to places assigned for the purpose within the Bar and that tickets be issued to such persons.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM): My Lords I beg to move, that the Report of the Select Committee in regard to the trial of the Lord de Clifford be now considered.
Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR: My Lords, in moving that this Report be now agreed to, I should like to explain that the Committee whom your Lordships appointed met yesterday afternoon and

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reached agreement in the recommendations which they have to make to your Lordships. I would suggest, therefore, that your Lordships accept the recommendations which they have framed and which are based, in the main, upon the Report in a previous case at the beginning of the century. I beg to move.
Moved, That this Report be now agreed to.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
On Question, Motion agreed to.

  BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPO RATION AND A SUGGESTED BROADCAST.
  BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPO RATION AND A SUGGESTED BROADCAST.
  HIS MAJESTY'S SPEECH.
  HIS MAJESTY'S SPEECH.