Captain CRAIGasked the Prime Minister whether, for the general convenience of Members, he could make arrangements for more regular hours of rising when the Finance Bill is under discussion?
§ Mr. W. CROOKSBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether, for the convenience of the House, we could meet at eleven o'clock in the morning?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know whether by more regular hours the hon. and gallant Member refers to yesterday or the day before, but I am afraid I am not in a position to make the arrangement suggested by him.
Captain CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the House rises sometimes at half-past six o'clock in the morning and sometimes at 12 o'clock at night; and would it not be possible to have a settled hour for rising?
§ Mr. MacNEILLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to also impress upon his memory the question of the hon. Member below me? Is he aware that it is only in comparatively recent times that this House has met at unseasonable hours, and that it used to discharge its business in reasonable hours— between 10 in the morning and 10 at night; and could we revert to it now?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe used to meet at eight o'clock in the morning.
§ Mr. MacNEILLBetter still.