I wish to decide with committee members whether we will sit until 10 p.m. or 12 midnight. I propose we get as much as possible done today and that we sit until 12 midnight. Is that agreed?
Business of Select Committee
I propose that we sit until 10 p.m. It is far too long for people to stay. If we need to reconvene in the morning that is fine.
Will we have a show of hands?
I do not want to obstruct the Bill, but we must have proper debate. Is it possible to meet tomorrow morning if we do not finish by 10 p.m.?
We have scheduled time for the Bill tomorrow also, but given the length of time it has taken us to reach section 4 we would not get through it tomorrow either.
It is democracy to be able to discuss it. Quite honestly, it would be better to do it tomorrow as it would give us a chance to refresh and think overnight. Many points are being raised. I do not want to vote against the wishes of the Chair but I support the proposal that we would not sit until 12 midnight.
We will schedule until 12 midnight and see how we go, and we will take a break every couple of hours to give members a chance to get a bit of air. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The Chairman told us to give notice if somebody is coming in to substitute for a member. If the meeting will go on that long I will have to get somebody to substitute for me.
That is okay once the member states on arrival that he or she is substituting for the Deputy. That is no problem.