MR. GIBSON BOWLESI wish to ask the permission of the House to make a 661 personal explanation with reference to a statement which appears in to-day's Standard, to the effect that I intend to oppose the Evidence in Criminal Cases Bill on the Report stage, and have declared that I will carry on the struggle through an all-night sitting. I wish to say at once that that statement by the Standard is absolutely false and unfounded. I have made no such declaration, and have not even conceived such a thought. Indeed, I imagine that if the Government show a generous disposition with regard to Amendments, the Bill can be disposed of early. I should have taken no notice whatever of the statement in the newspaper, which I have observed is so often remarkable for the inaccuracy of its statements, had I not conceived that the First Lord of the Treasury or the Attorney General might possibly have read the paragraph—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The honourable Member is utilising the occasion for something more than a personal explanation. I am sure the House will accept his statement.