THE HOME SECRETARY'S SAFETY-VALVE. TRAFALGAR SQUARE OF THE FUTURE.
This not encouraging, but there were other Amendments standing in his name of which something must be said. Tomlinson rose when called on, but gratefully sat down when greeted with mirthful cries for division. Only gleam of comfort in sorrowful night was when Tommy Bowles, rushing in whence he had retreated, called down on himself Speaker's stern commentary that his remarks were "quite irrelevant."
Business done.—Report Stage of Employers' Liability Bill.
Tuesday.—To casual observer there is nothing in personal appearance of Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth suggestive of the Tartar. Yet to-night Sir Ellis Ashmead Bart(lett), going a hunting on the Treasury Bench preserves, bagged Secretary to Admiralty and found he had caught a Tartar. Ashmead, in his self-asserted character of Britannia's Confidential Clerk, tried to draw Ughtred on subject of Naval Scare. Shuttleworth, with manner that combined severity of a magistrate with benignity of a dean, managed to present Ashmead in aspect of fussy person who, having had some official knowledge, in whatever subordinate position, ought to have been able to restrain the self-assertiveness that led him to put such a question. House, which does not do credit to The Bart(lett)'s many sterling qualities, roared with delight. Stung to quick, Ashmead up again; shouted across table, "I ask the right hon. gentleman whether he can give me any evidence of his being alive——" House, struck with evidence to that effect just given, broke in with fresh roar of laughter. Ashmead stood glaring round at merry circle. When noise subsided, continued: "——any evidence of his being alive to the importance of his duties?" More laughter. Ashmead appealed to Speaker to reprimand Kay-Shuttleworth. Speaker justified Minister's action. One more attempt; one more rebuff; and Ashmead subsided for the night, not quite sure after all that silence isn't golden. At least it used to bring in £1000 a year.
Business done.—A good deal with the Employers' Liability Bill.
Tommy Bowles and the Pilot.