13 MARCH 1925
Mr Austen Chamberlain, in a speech before the Council of the League of Nations at Geneva, gave reasons for the British Government’s inability to subscribe to the Peace Protocol in its present form. In their opinion, the object of the Protocol could be best secured by special defensive arrangements between the nations immediately concerned, arrangements which should be made in harmony with the spirit of the Covenant and under the guidance of the League itself.
In the House of Lords, the Legitimacy Bill passed second reading. The Merchant Shipping (International Labour Conventions) Bill was read a third time, and second reading was given to the Merchant Shipping (Equivalent Provisions) Bill, which gives power to make reciprocal arrangements with foreign countries in regard to wireless telegraphy on ships and other matters.
The House of Commons discussed and passed Votes for Air Force personnel and scientific equipment and research.
The Lord Advocate intimated certain concessions to the Committee considering the Scottish Church Bill. The compulsory redemption of teinds (a Scottish name for tithes) would be limited to £1 and under. In assessing teinds payable for repairing manses and churches before they were handed over, there would be a compulsory deduction of £30, those under that rental escaping. All heritors whose liability is less than one shilling would be exempt from payment and redemption of teind.