Parliament's Week

House of Commons. The Government's proposal for a naval base at Singapore was passed under closure (curtailment of debate) after a keen discussion.

Among the criticisms hurled at the bill were:

" It is contrary to the spirit of the Washington Treaty."

"It would lead to war with Japan or America."

"The situation is unsuitable."

The Government replying categorically denied every point made by the opposition. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Lieutenant Colonel Amery, stressed the fact that the base was not intended as an aggressive measure against either Japan or the United States. He pointed out that the latter country was strengthening its fortifications outside the zone of non-fortification laid down in the Quadruple Pacific Treaty at Washington. This was immediately greeted by ironical cheers from the Labor benches intermingled with " You've started the race!" " Suicide Club!"

House of Lords. Viscount Astor, in moving the second reading of his wife's bill to prevent the sale of intoxicants to persons under the age of 18 years, gave Lord Dawson, King's Physician, an opportunity of eulogizing Bacchus. He said that alcohol, if taken in moderation, added to " the pleasure, exhilaration, happiness and gayety of life." For the practical purposes of the bill he said that alcohol was not necessary to youth, as experience showed that it was at the tender ages damaging to the nervous system.