§ 48. Mr. C. WILLIAMSasked the Prime Minister if he is yet in a position to announce his decision on the recommendation of the Select Committee of the House that the House should sit and rise an hour earlier on Fridays?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 3rd November last in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff East (Mr. Edmunds).
§ Mr. WILLIAMSOn that occasion I believe the right hon. Gentleman put the responsibility on the Whips solely. As Leader of the House, has he not been able to do anything in the common interests of the House on a matter which is agreed between all sections?
§ Mr. McSHANEIs there any real difficulty in the way of doing this?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is no real difficulty in the way of doing it, but the answer that I gave, to which I have referred, states the position.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThat is the point I am trying to raise; there is no difficulty. Is not the Prime Minister aware that this makes a great deal of difference to many people on all sides of the House, and for that reason cannot he ask those who have the means of making this arrangement to make it quickly in the interests of the House, and not to force further delay?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am only too anxious to consult the convenience of the House, but representations have been made to me to the contrary. If it is perfectly clear that a great majority of the House would prefer the change to be made, I shall certainly not stand in the way of it.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI will put a question next week in the hope that the Prime Minister will have further consultations and make further inquiry on the subject.