It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper, Nos. 4, 5, 7 and 6; Nos. 2 and 3 will be taken in their appropriate place. At 6.30, time will be given for a discussion on No. 23, the question to be put not later than 9 o'clock. Private Deputies' Business will then be taken.
Order of Business.
Could the Minister not allot more time for discussion of No. 23?
We cannot give more time. We are hoping to adjourn this week.
There is a very big question involved in this order, affecting the biggest industry in the country, its costs, finances, and credits. I am sure it is a matter in which the whole House will be very interested, not so much from the point of view of opposition, because opposition is not so much the purpose of the motion as to get information on it. Could not three or four hours be given for this discussion?
I am sure the Deputy will have ample opportunity in the time given here to get all the information he requires.
Would the Minister say whether it is intended to sit next week?
We hope not. We hope to finish to-morrow.
Then we will not sit on Friday, I take it?
No.
Would not the Minister consider that the business on the Order Paper could be better finished to-morrow if we were to sit early to-morrow, say at 12 o'clock?
We will consider sitting late.
After 10.30 p.m. to-morrow if necessary?
Yes.
Can the Minister say for what purpose we are to consider sitting after 10.30 to-morrow night?
To finish the business on the Order Paper.
May I put it to the Minister: (1) That it is desirable to have an adjournment debate to-morrow; (2) that the Government have been pretty extensively accommodated in expediting business during the last two or three weeks; and (3) that if we are to have a satisfactory adjournment debate it would be better to have it within a given time and to end at a given hour, say, at 10.30 p.m., and that it would not be asking too much—once in the 12 months—to sit at noon to-morrow. We would be sitting at 10.30 on Friday morning but for the fact that it is a holyday of obligation, and therefore the House does not sit at all. There is something to be said for the view that expedition in business is frequently more manifest in the forenoon than it is in the afternoon.
It must be remembered that Ministers have made appointments and other arrangements. There are various things to be considered. Members of the House, also, may not be available in the forenoon. The notice of this early sitting is very short. I do not think it would inconvenience anybody to carry out the arrangements we propose. Perhaps what the Deputy said is true, that more business might be done in the early afternoon than in the later afternoon or going on towards midnight. At the same time, I think the proposal made by the Minister ought to be accepted. Then, if there is a desire to continue after the time indicated, 10.30 p.m., perhaps the Whips could arrange for that. I am afraid it would be very awkward to have the meeting at 12 o'clock on such short notice.
Assuming we sit at 3 o'clock to-morrow, can it be subsequently arranged that there will be a definite period for an adjournment debate?
The Whips might arrange the matter.
Very well.
Ordered accordingly.