THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1920, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

BIG INDEMNITY BILL. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, April >3

Government have introduced 'is In demnity Bill restricting legal proceedings on account of Government’s acts under the War Proclamations etc. It is estimated if Government is compelled to pay artificial market prices for goods and services during the w r 'period instead of on the basis of cost, plus a reasonable profit on which payment is made as a rule, the additional cost will amount to about seven hundred million sterling. Government lues already settled shipping claims based on Blue Book rates amounting to 331 millions. A number of actions were instituted contesting the legality of the Bluo Book rates. If the claims are upheld, Government will be liable for an extra- three hundred to four hundred millions. The present Tsi!l aims at establishing the validity of the Blue Book rates and similar payments for munition contracts, requisitioned buildings etc. | The Bill extends over the whole F.m- ---) pire, except the self governing Bomin- ' ions, which pass their own measures. ! HOUSE OF LORDS DECISION. 1 LONDON, Anril 23. | The Lords, by 23 to 22, refused the second reading of Lord Balfour of B'uf- • leigh’s Bill for the protection of key in--1 dustries and against dumping, though Lord Birkenhead supported it, announce ing that Government was prepared to confer with its authors, with a view to ' facilitating its passage, with improve- ' ments. Lord Emmott and Beauchamp led the attack against the Bill.