§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Proceedings on Report of Navy and Army Expenditure, 1910–11, on Report of Ways and Means, on the Light Railways Bill, and on Public Works Loans [Remission], Committee be not interrupted this evening under the Standing Order (Sittings of the House), and may be entered upon and proceeded with at any hour, though opposed."—[The Prime Minister.]
§ Mr. SNOWDENI oppose this Motion in so far as it proposes to take the Light Railways Bill after 11 o'clock at night. That measure is of the most important character, and many of its proposals are highly controversial. The Government have put down on the Paper an Amendment proposing to incorporate in the Bill a provision which was debated in this House a few weeks ago and unanimously rejected. I do not think it is at all proper that a Bill of this important character should be taken at a time when a con- 2088 siderable number of Members interested in it are not able to be present. I hope, therefore, that the Prime Minister will give us an assurance that the Light Railways Bill will not be taken after 11 o'clock.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am told that the Amendments here are agreed, and that the Bill cannot take any considerable time.
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe right hon. Gentleman is misinformed on that subject. One of the Amendments will be strongly opposed.
§ Mr. CASSELSome of the Amendments are strongly opposed by some local authorities.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe certainly will not keep the House late on it.
§ Question put, and agreed to.