HC Deb 04 May 1944 vol 399 c1682

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—[Captain McEwen.]

Sir Herbert Williams (Croydon, South)

Just for one moment I should like to call attention to the fact that there was a contretemps on Wednesday last, when, owing to the fact that we had three clocks in this Chamber which do not all keep the same time, a certain Motion that the Government desired to pass, was not passed. Surely it is not beyond the wit of man to have clocks here that synchronise. I have lots of clocks at home, and they all tell the same time, and if they are wrong they are, at any rate, all wrong to the same degree. I suggest that we should have clocks here which really tell the same time. Then we should know where we were. It is rather disturbing to Parliamentary Business if the clocks do not tell the same time.

Mr. W. J. Brown (Rugby)

I should like to express my surprise at hearing an individualist like the hon. Member who has just spoken argue in favour of uniformity. In every other field of life he argues for non-conformity, for the protection of individuality and for the widest diversity in life. Now, even he has to admit that diversity is not enough. He wants dull, mechanical uniformity in our clocks. I deprecate his observations.

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly till Tuesday next, pursuant to the Resolution of the House this day.