§ Mr. LYNCHasked whether, in view of a certain aspect of absurdity in legislating in normal times after midnight, and with the desire of maintaining the reputation of this House abroad and of avoiding scenes produced by the neurasthenia inseparable from the debates of a large Assembly in the small hours of the morning, the Prime Minister will arrange to alter the Standing Orders of the House so that on no occasion, except possibly that of impending war, shall the House sit after eleven o'clock at night?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, may I ask whether, on the occasion of the last all-night sitting, there was any evidence of the occurrence of neurasthenia in the conduct of business by the then Leader of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI was lot here on that occasion, and I have not been able to diagnose the symptoms. With regard to the question on the Paper, I do not think the hon. Gentleman's proposal is a practicable one.