HC Deb 16 January 1924 vol 169 cc122-4
Mr. LEIF JONES

I desire to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether you can announce to the House when you propose to vacate the Chair to-day and whether it would not be for the general convenience that there should be two short intervals to-day, one about five o'clock, and the other at eight o'clock for dinner?

Mr. SPEAKER

I may ask the House to allow me some time a little after five o'clock. It may be necessary to retire for 10 or 15 minutes. Later in the Sitting I propose to retire in the neighbourhood of a quarter before eight o'clock so as not to interfere with the speech which is then proceeding.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Would it not be for the convenience of the House if you, Sir, could state approximately how long an interval you intend that there should be at the dinner hour?

Mr. SPEAKER

I think it will be convenient if I state now that I propose to resume the Chair at nine o'clock.

Motion made, and Question proposed,

"That during the present Session the House do meet on Fridays at Eleven o'Clock, and that Four o'Clock and half-past Four o'Clock be substituted for Five o'Clock and half-past Five o'Clock, respectively, as the hours for the interruption of Business and Adjournment of the House on that day."—[The Prime Minister.]
Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Will this Motion apply to Friday this week? It would be very convenient if the House could automatically adjourn at 4 o'clock.

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)

This Motion will certainly apply this week, if the House be sitting on Friday.

Mr. W. THORNE

Will it apply to every other day, and not only Fridays?

Mr. PRINGLE

May I ask the Prime Minister whether it is intended that the House should sit on Friday?

The PRIME MINISTER

So far as I am aware at present. If it were desired that any change should be made, a Motion could easily be put down tomorrow.

Mr. T. E. HARVEY

Might I appeal to the Government that they should except Friday from this Resolution? There is a very great desire in many quarters that the very important issue which has now to be decided shall be decided this week, and that there shall not be an unneeessary Adjournment. It would involve a great deal of public inconvenience if the decision were not taken this week, and submit very respectfully that it is for the convenience of all quarters to take it this week. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]

The PRIME MINISTER

Communications, I understand, are proceeding in the usual channels as to the course of business, and if it is thought desirable to make any change in the hour on Friday, it can easily be done tomorrow.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is there not another reason why this should be decided on Friday, because if things turn out as we anticipate—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—I am talking about something else. If things turn out according to reports in the papers, it will be impossible for some Members to get back on Monday.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

"That during the present Session the House do meet on Fridays at Eleven o'Clock, and that Four o'Clock and half-past Four o'Clock be substituted for Five o'Clock and half-past Five o'Clock, respectively, as the hours for the interruption of Business and Adjournment of the House on that day."