Before we resume on the motion, I should like to ask a question concerning the business of the next week because it now appears clear that item No. 3 on the Order Paper will not be reached this afternoon. I would ask for two things from the Leader of the House. First, within reason, can he give us a definite date for the taking of the motion on Northern Ireland so that we can make our plans for next week with this in mind.
The second point is that owing to the considerable interest and the large number of people who wish to speak on that motion I would ask that the House would grant its indulgence and extend the time which this motion would take. I would ask that it be extended from three hours to five hours. I am not suggesting that the length of the individual speeches should be changed, just that the total time which the motion will span would be extended by two hours to give the extra number of people who have expressed a firm desire to speak that opportunity.
