Page:Punch Vol 148.djvu/407

House of Commons, Wednesday, 14th April.—Parliament, worn out by a month's Easter holiday, resumed its sittings. Attendance in Cominons pretty full. Looked forward to hearing statement from Premier with respect to newly-appointed Committee authorised to control and speed up supply of munitions of war, and to learning something definite as to proposed treatment of drink. Harried Premier, to whom mention of "an eight hours' day" is a mockery, not in his place when Questions opened. Hurried in five minutes later. Anticipated inquiries not made. Will be submitted later, when further progress is made with both businesses.

In the meantime Wing, Member for Houghton-le-Spring, hovering aloft, a human aeroplane, dropped unexpected bomb in shape of painfully pointed query. Wanted to know whether Government are prepared to suspend sale of alcoholic liquors in refreshment rooms and bars of House, so placing Palace of Westminster on same footing as other Royal palaces?

Premier, enough on his hands without addition of this ticklish question, pointed out that the matter is one for consideration of House, not for decision of Government. Member for Houghton, still on the Wing, proposed forthwith to discuss it. Opportunity provided on formal motion to go into Committee of Supply. Bonar Law suggested that so grave a subject would be better dealt with in form of definite Resolution. Premier promising to provide facilities for dealing with one, affair stood over.

Meanwhile whole-hearted sympathy goes out Chairman of Kitchen Committee. The post, equally honourable and important, has been held by Mark Lockwood through long succession of sessions. He has devoted himself to service of his fellow-Members with self-denying energy recognised as establishing debt of profound gratitude. His record is, to certain extent, hampered by supreme achievement of the Shilling Dinner. Less observed have been his untiring efforts to keep the House cellar filled with wine and spirits of the highest quality compatible with the lowest price.

And now there is prospect of its being locked up for indefinite period.

As the Colonel walked about the Lobby this afternoon, the perennial carnation in his buttonhole sympathetically drooping, Members halted on their divers ways silently to press his hand, a touch of sympathy more eloquent than flow of words.

Business done.—All within space of half-an-hour. Premier announced that next week and till further notice sittings will be limited to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Thursday.—House learns with profound regret that after the last day of May Sir David Erskine will cease to be Sergeant-at-Arms. For forty years he has been a familiar, and popular, feature in the Legislative Chamber. Speakers have come and gone; Ministries have been created and dissolved; the Sergeant-at-Arms has for more than a generation filled the Chair by the Cross Benches below the Gangway. His ancient office is a thing apart. It is the last link of the personal relations of the Sovereign with the faithful and, in Stuart times, the occasionally refractory, Commons. Members are elected by the people. They in turn elect the Speaker. The Sergeant-at-Arms is nominated by the Sovereign, to whom alone he owes fealty.

Sir David Erskine has worthily upheld the dignity of the office. A strict disciplinarian, jealous for absolute obedience to the rules and traditions of the House, native courtesy and a natural kindness of heart have kept him clear from reproach of offence. When for the last time he has lifted the Mace on to the Table or replaced it on the brackets, his name and personality will remain a tradition round which memory will pleasantly linger.

Sat till 9 o'clock. Quite unusual in these times. Occupied chiefly by debate on famous contract for purchase of wood made by Board of Works with firm of Meyer and Co. Young bloods on Ministerial side smell a rat. Handel Booth in particular sees it moving in the air. Has conducted inquiry of his own into circumstances. Complains that patriotic effort has been baffled by tactics of that Machiavellian personage, First Commissioner of Works, Lord Emmott.

"Only one new thing I did discover," said Handel. House instantly assumed attitude of profound interest. "I discovered," he continued in tone calculated to make the flesh creep, "that there is in the Office of Works in close touch with Mr. Meyer's firm a brother-in-law of his partner."

Member for Sark disposed to ask what relation would he be of Mr. Meyer. Tommy Lough, who constitutionally objects to private Members criticising their pastors and masters on the Treasury Bench, protested against this "stabbing, prodding the Government in the back."

"Why in the back?" asked Handel.

"Because you sit behind them," was Tommy's prompt reply.

No getting over that. Amendment negatived.

Business done.—House adjourned till Tuesday.