§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the legislative programme before Parliament is exceedingly modest and that the nation's finances need the 1826 closest attention, he will this year grant a substantial addition to the days devoted to Supply, over and above the 20 usually allocated?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI will do everything I can, consistently with the passage-of necessary legislation, to meet my hon. and gallant Friend's views.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYMay we not have some statement a little more definite than that? Has not the Government the whole time of the House, and could not the right hon. Gentleman say that they will allocate, say, eight or nine more days, in view of the grave urgency of the national finances?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is mistaken in supposing that the Government have taken the whole of the time of the House. I want to give as much time as we can to supply.
§ Sir D. MACLEANMay I ask the Leader of the House whether we can, at any rate, count upon the extra three days being granted, as provided by the Standing Orders?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is early in the Session to put a question of that kind. What I have in my mind is something more than the three days, but I cannot give a definite pledge.