HC Deb 25 August 1887 vol 319 c1825
MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it was his intention to bring the debate on the Proclamation of the National League to a close at a convenient hour this evening, with the view of making effective progress with the Allotments Bill?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

The debate will, I suppose, be adjourned at the usual hour at which such debates are adjourned; and, having regard to the period of the Session, I do not doubt that hon. Gentlemen who take a great interest in the Bill, as I know the hon. Member does, will be content to sit for a couple of hours in order to make progress with it.

MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)

said, that the right hon. Gentleman must be aware that there was a very large number of serious questions in connection with the Bill that could not be discussed at a late hour; and he wished to appeal to him to make an effort to bring the debate to a close a little earlier than was usual, so that they might really get one English question discussed adequately this Session.

MR. W. H. SMITH

I do not doubt that there is a strong desire on the part of English Members to discuss this question adequately, and I am certain that they do not want to discuss it more than adequately. The Government will endeavour to find ample opportunity for that adequate discussion, and I shall not be justified in interfering with the debate this evening at too early an hour.