ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
(Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P.)
House of Lords, Monday, February 23rd.—Temporarily relieved from thoughts of Ulster or meditations upon Marconi, House gave itself up to bright debate on question not less attractive because of spice of personality. Spice acquired additional piquancy since it was not supposed to be there. Its absence was indeed formally insisted upon. "Oh no, we never mention him. His name is never heard." All the same, as debate went forward, names did occur. Glances, furtively shot from side to side of House, casually rested upon particular seats, whether empty or occupied.
Lord Crewe (to Lord Selborne on his way to the Debate on the Sale of Honours). "I trust we shall have no stone-throwing."
Lord Selborne. "I'm entirely with you. Too much stained-glass about, what?"
Selborne introduced subject by moving Resolution condemning principle that a contribution to Party funds should be a consideration to a Minister recommending to the Sovereign bestowal of a titular honour. Subject delicate one to handle. As Selborne admitted, Willoughby de Broke and Ribblesdale in succession concurring, it was not a Party question. Notorious that since the days of Lord North both political parties are tarred with same brush. Through difficult circumstances Selborne adroitly picked his way in lively speech. Sorely handicapped by Resolution, the effect of which, even with assistance of other House, would, as Ribblesdale pointed out, be absolutely nil. "In the end," he said, "both Houses would be only expressing a pious, almost a Pharisaical opinion."
This conceded, the Lords, having no work to do, might have done much worse than devote sitting to breezy debate.
Willoughby de Broke at his best in his enunciation of principles upon which, were he dispenser of honours in the Radical camp, he would choose his peers. Whilst taking broad view of case on eugenic principles, he would be inclined to make selection in favour of childless candidates.
"The sons of newly-created Radical peers are," he shrewdly remarked, "almost certain to be Tories, while a Radical grandson of a Radical peer is a phenomenon never seen."