24
42
W.759
kapid Legislation.
WEEKLY LONDON LETTER
By Andrew Blackmore.
One of the claims made on behalf of autocratic government is that
it can act more quickly and more effectively than a democracy, The
record of the recent session of the British Parliament tends to
cisprove this. Between the opening of the session in November, 1938,
and the beginning of the summer recess early in August this year, 225
Bills were presented to Parliament, ac of these over 60 became law.
Many of the most important Bills passed this year relate to
defence, and these owe, if not their origin, their speedy accept ance
by Parliament to the annexation by Germany of Czechoslovakia,
act decided the British Government to attempt to prevent further
aggressive acts and Parliament and people readily responded.
That
Fledges of support in case of aggressive attempts against their
sovereignty were given to Greece, Rumania and Poland, the anglo-
Turkish Treaty was signed, and Anglo-Russian negotiations were well
acvanced. Conscription was introduced, and various measures concern-
ing the reserves and auxiliary forces, civil defence, war risks
Į insurance, and a ministry of Supply were quickly passed.
In the financial sphere Bills were passed to meet a combined
civil and defence expenditure of £1,300 million. Branches of shipping
and agriculture were assisted through Government measures, and the
cotton incustry given an opportunity to reorganise itself. Besides
these a host of other Bills, concerned both with defence and the
affairs of normal peaceful development, reached the statute books.
Democracy in Great Britain not only marches on, it moves with
strength, determination, and speed.