Asked by Mr. GEORGE LAMBERT whether the labour expended on fitting gas-bags to motor cars could not be more usefully employed, the MINISTER OF NATIONAL SERVICE replied as follows:  “The questions involved in the use of gas-bags, including that raised by the hon.  Member, are being considered.”  And Mr. LAMBERT is now wondering whether Sir AUCKLAND GEDDES intended to be personal.

Tuesday, December 4th.—­In answer to a question as to what steps the Board of Agriculture was taking to replant districts denuded of trees, Sir RICHARD WINFREY replied that “surplus nursery stock” would be transplanted by “gangs of women.”  Evidently surprised by the laughter which followed, he whispered to his neighbour, “Have I said anything very funny?”

At the end of a long catechism by Mr. KING regarding the literature issued by the War Aims Committee, Mr. OUTHWAITE inquired if it could be sent to Members of the House.  Major GUEST was quite ready to oblige.  In his opinion some Members, including Mr. OUTHWAITE himself, would be much the better for its perusal.

Mr. PRATT is about the last Minister whom I should have suspected of cynicism, but I have my doubts about him now.  By his admission the British Pharmacopoeia (war edition) contains “Glycerins devoid of glycerin and syrups free from sugar.”  “But,” he added, “it does not materially lessen their value as medicines.”

Upon the House being asked to recommit the Representation of the People’s Bill in respect of the provisions dealing with conscientious objectors and redistribution in Ireland, Mr. REDMOND, naturally anxious lest the House should imagine that Ireland’s objection to military service was conscientious, requested the SPEAKER to divide the debate into water-tight compartments.  No artificial restraints, however, could keep Mr. HEALY within bounds.  He ranged at large over Irish history, and declared that the decision to impose on Ireland a (more or less) equitable system of representation was an outrage only to be compared with the breach of the Treaty of Limerick.

As a humourist on this occasion Mr. HEALY had to yield the palm to a colleague.  The CHIEF SECRETARY incidentally referred to the arrangement that no contentious business should be taken during the War.  “Except by agreement,” interjected Mr. NUGENT.

[Illustration:  SUGARLESS BANBURY CAKES.]

Wednesday, December 5th.—­Not long ago Lord ROBERT CECIL referred to a rumour that the German Government intended to encourage polygamy.  Mr. KING, shocked to discover that this charge rested upon a statement in a neutral newspaper, protested against the practice of making speeches “on such miserable foundations.”  As the bulk of the hon.  Member’s own utterances have a similar basis the retort was almost too obvious; and Mr. BALFOUR in making it must have felt as if he had shot his bird sitting.