HC Deb 18 June 1935 vol 303 cc320-1

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

11.13 p.m.

Sir S. CRIPPS

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how far he proposes to go to-night? I understood a little earlier that if we got as far as Clause 10 that would be satisfactory, and the Committee would not be asked to sit any later. It is now a quarter-past 11, and we have got as far as Clause 14. We are now coming to a Clause where there are further amendments and I understood there was an arrangement through the usual channels that we should not go any further to-night.

The CHAIRMAN

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put himself in order by moving to report Progress.

Sir S. CRIPPS

I beg to move, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."

As we are now reaching Clause 15, and embarking on another series of Amendments which will occupy a considerable period of time, I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would not be satisfactory to stop for the night?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The hon. and learned Gentleman must be under some misapprehension as to an understanding. I am informed through the usual channels that no such arrangement was made, and this is certainly the first I have heard of it. I never suggested that we should stop at any particular Clause, and if it be a fact that there is going to be a long discussion on the Amendments to Clause 15, which I did not myself expect, that seems all the more reason why we should go on a little further to-night. We have a long way to go before we reach the new Clauses, and there is a very large number of new Clauses on the Paper. I hope the Committee will be able to make rather more rapid progress, and in that case we need not sit much longer.

11.14 p.m.

Mr. TINKER

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some indication as to how long we shall be here? The hour is late, and he knows what the Opposition is. There were some Amendments which were allowed to go without a Division. I was told by our people that we wanted to get on, and not to press to a Division, but if we had known that we were going on late, we should have gone to a Division.

11.15 p.m.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

May I suggest that if we get to the end of Part I we shall have made fairly good progress, and the Chancellor will have made a very considerable impression on his Bill? May I humbly and respectfully suggest that we should end there?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Yes, if we can finish Part I, we might then adjourn.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.