BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1930, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE SANDHAM DEBATE.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, July 30. In the House of Commons, speaking in the Snndham debate, Mr Baldwin said that this matter should bo probed to its very foundation. Mr Mnxton .suggested that, in addition to the Committee, there should be one or to memebers who should be something akin to a prisoner’s friend, as otherwise lie feared that there would not be justice. Mr Scrymgour urged that the Committee .should consider the fact that nving to the facilities for obtaining liqour, fhe. members of all the Parties were to be .seen from time to time under the influence of drink.

Cries of “Order! Privilege!” The Speaker said that that was not part of the question before the House. Mr J. W. Brown (Labour member for West Wolverhampton) said that he haa documents in his pocket which were going to be investigated if this charge of corruption were to be gone ■into, but he wanted an assurance that the Committee would follow conditions for admitting witnesses speaking freely. Mr J. Beckett (Labour member for Camberwell) of Mace fame, then rose to speak, hut the 'House refused to listen to him.

The Committee .set up to investigate Mr Sandham’s allegations consists of Mr McDonald, Sir W. A. Towitt, K.C., Mr S. Baldwin, Rt. Hon C. W. Bower man, Lord Hugh Cecil, Rt. Hon. A. Henderson, Rt. Hon. J.R. Clvnes, Sir D. Herbert (Conserative), and Lieut. Col. 11. H. Spender-Clay (Conservative.) LONDON, July 30. • The Snndham Committee held its first meeting last evening. The Daily Herald says that Mr Sandham’s charges must be either proved or withdrawn.

IN THE COMMONS

THE POSITION IN EGYPT.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received this uay at 10.30 a.m.) y , ;RU®IY, July-30. The House of Commons agreed to the Foreign Office vote last night after the debate in which the Opposition raised the question of ..Egypt. Hon. Churchill mad© a vigorous attack on the Government’s Egyptian policy contrasting tlie recent disorders in Egypt with the. conditions of a year ago and arguing that the Labour Government’s policy was responsible for the existence in that country bf two rival autocracies,

The Prime Minister,, in defending his Government's policy, said Britain’s mission in Egypt was confined now' to the safeguarding of four specifio points, one of which w r as the rcisponsib) ('ey for foreign life anid property in Egypt. To waive that responsibility would be criminal folly and it was for that reason warships were ordered to stand by. That would be done again and again whenever the necessity might arise so long as • no agreement had ’been reached on that reserved point. Chving to the state of iff airs in Egypt to-day worships had found it- possible to leave. The events of the U’.sfc few r weeks, he proceeded, arose out of the internal affairs ol Egypt. The British Government were not concerned with any change of the constitution in Egypt, except as far as its effect might be to put in jeopardy foreign life and property. During the recent disturbances law' and order had been preserved by Egyptian troops and troops were not involved. i

No official complaints of inadequate protection had been received by the British Government from Foreign Powers. The British Government’s action in warning both Government and the opposition in Egypt of their responsibility towards foreigners, had been justified. It had 'been made clear that the Government would fulfil their responsibility but would not takes sides in internal politics in Egypt. Mr Dalton, Parliamentary secretary for Foreign Affairs, concluding the debate said there was no intention to keep a British garrison ‘ in Egypt.

PRIME MINISTER’S SALARY

LONDON, July 30

P;)iif,ting ,’out Ills remuneration is less than two of his colleagues, a PHeefc Committee unanimously recommended that the Prime Minister’s salary he increased without delay from £o()00 to .£7OOO.