§ Mr. BALDWINCan the Prime Minister tell the House whether he will be able to give a full day for the discussion to-morrow?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI really was hoping that it might be possible to dispose of the Poplar point by 8.15 to-morrow. [HON. MEMBERS: "NO!"] I understood that it had been filed down to a somewhat small issue. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] It is very necessary, if we are going to have a holiday at Easter at all, that we should get on with the essential Votes.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIt is a private Members' night to-morrow.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is so, but I think it is very undesirable to take away a private Members' evening unless there is general consent on all sides of the House. If, during the day, my hon. Friend discovers, through the usual channels, that there is consent to a Reso lution to-morrow to take away the private Members' right, then we shall have no objection, but, should it not be possible to come to that arrangement, I hope that we shall finish the Poplar point by 8.15.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSWill not the right hon. Gentleman consider that this Resolution is in effect a vote of censure on one of His Majesty's Ministers, and that it is desirable to have sufficient debate to justify the application of the Closure.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am quite in the hands of the House. I am expressing my own views, and I put them forward in the form of an appeal. The appeal I make is that we try and get on with the business. I understood that the Poplar point had been filed down. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] I understood that very little remained. If that be so, I think it would suit the convenience of all sides of the House to finish the debate by 8.15. I hope that during the day negotiations will be started through the usual channels, and we shall be very glad to implement any agreement or disagreement that is come to.
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLHave not the Liberals asked for this discussion, and do not they want to go on longer than 8.15?
§ Mr. PRINGLEWas not Tuesday selected in consultation between the Government and the Opposition Whips, and without any consultation with the Liberal Whips at all?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I never heard anything about Tuesday?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not informed about the gossip that goes on in the House, but, so far as I am concerned, there was no arrangement one way or the other. It was put to me as the business for Tuesday, and I accepted it, assuming that it had been agreed to.
§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that members of his own party have put down Amendments to the Resolution, and is he not prepared to give them facilities?