Would the Chair allow me to intervene to explain briefly why the House will be rising early this evening. In part, it arises from my having overestimated the amount of time which would be spent on the Second Stage of the very important Gas Bill, and in part from my having been finally informed only this morning that the Opposition would not seek Private Members' time. I do not seek to attach any blame, of course, for that but it was responsible for my not having listed a further item which would have carried us up to 8.30 p.m.
