BRITISH EMPIRE: Parliament's Week: Jul. 7, 1924

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House of Commons. To the House, Premier MacDonald branded as "gross misrepresentation and falsification" reports which alleged that he had promised Premier Herriot a military alliance against Germany.

¶ J. H. Thomas, Secretary of State for the Colonies, stated for the benefit of those who see in the appointment of an Irish envoy to Washington the first move toward the establishment of an Irish republic, that the Government was convinced that peace and friendship could be maintained in Ireland only by the existence of the Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth and in no other way.

¶ The third reading of the Legitimacy Bill was passed, 137 to 13 votes. The provisions of this Bill make legitimate a natural-born child whose parents subsequently marry. It will become law if passed by the House of Lords.

¶ An amendment to the London Traffic Bill was carried by the Opposition, to the discomfiture of the Laborites. As defeat was incurred on a minor issue, the Government did not resign although a few irresponsibles called loudly "Resign!"

House of Lords. Lord Parmoor,* Lord President of the Council, assured their lordships that the Labor Government had no intention of abandoning the Sudan. Apparently, the impending visit to London of Saad Zaghlul Pasha, Premier of the Egyptian Government, had stirred up fearful forebodings in their lordships' bosoms.