§ Mr. SNOWDENMay I ask the Prime. Minister a question arising out of the business to-day. The Government proposes to suspend the Eleven o'Clock Rule. The most important matter down for consideration is the Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Bill, and so much importance is attached to it by my hon. Friends that we think it will be quite impossible to get the Second Reading by half-past seven o'clock, and it would certainly be undesirable to continue the discussion after eleven o'clock. Under these circumstances, may I ask the Prime Minister if he cannot agree to continue the discussion upon some other occasion, and not continue the discussion after eleven o'clock at night?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROur only desire is to make reasonable progress with the business before the House. As regards the particular Bill mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, I recognise that there are a number of hon. Members in all parts of the House who wish to speak upon it, and therefore I shall not proceed with that Bill after 7.30 to-night. I may say, however, that I propose to take after eleven o'clock a certain amount of non-contentious business, including the Report stage of the three outstanding Supplementary Votes and the remaining 227 stages of the two Bills which the House has treated as non-contentious, which appear as Orders No. 4—Patents and Designs (Convention) Bill, Committee—and No. 5—Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Bill, Committee.
§ Mr. WALLHEADWill the Bedwellty Prayer come on after those Measures have been taken?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir.
§
Ordered,
That the Proceedings on Government Business be exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)."—[The Prime Minister.]