§ 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. SMITHI 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.