Inquirer (hopelessly). What does it mean? What is a Parish Councils Bill?
First W. I. M. Oh, well, you know, a Parish Councils Bill is——well, it's a Bill for giving Parish Councils.
Inquirer. Yes—but whom are they going to give them to?
First W. I. M. Why, to the Parishes, of course.
Inquirer. Ah! (Continues reading. A puzzled frown settles on his face.) But why can't the Parishes make their own Councils, without all this fuss in Parliament? Couldn't every Parish simply say, "I'm going to have a Council," and just start it straight away?
First W. I. M. My dear fellow, you know nothing can be done without an Act of Parliament.
Inquirer. But they call this a Bill, not an Act.
First W. I. M. It's only another way of saying the same thing. A Bill or an Act—it's all one.
Second W. I. M. No, it isn't.
First W. I. M. I'll lay you a couter it is.