§ SIR CARNE RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that two speeches occupied three hours of Parliamentary time on Friday, 17th June, leaving two hours only for the remaining 677 Members; and whether he will propose such Amendments to the Standing Orders as will insure a more equitable distribution of the time on days on which non-Government Bills or Notices of Motion have precedence.
(Answered by Mr. A. J. Balfour.) I am aware that on the Committee stage of various Bills, speeches of considerable length have recently been delivered. They have not been on all occasions in conformity with the spirit of Committee discussion but, as my hon. friend knows, though, admitting the evil of which he complains, I have never been able to satisfy myself as to the remedy which should be applied.