§ Mr. EdenMay I ask the acting Leader of the House if he can tell us for what purpose he wishes to suspend the Rule today; and also if he can tell us of any alteration for Thursday's Business?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)It is proposed to suspend the Rule today in order that we may make 985 good progress—I emphasise good progress—with the Supplementary Estimates on the Order Paper; but we do not intend to keep the House sitting late tonight. As the House is aware, there are other Supplementary Estimates down on the Order Paper for consideration tomorrow. It is our hope that within the two days, today and tomorrow, we shall be able to complete the Committee stage of the outstanding Votes.
As regards further Business this week, in view of our consideration for hon. Members we did not get the Third Reading of the Civic Restaurants Bill yesterday. We therefore propose to take the Third Reading of that Bill on Thursday as the first Order, and then to proceed with the Orders on the Paper in the order in which they were down originally.
§ Mr. EdenWith regard to the Supplementary Estimates, while I understand the right hon. Gentleman expresses that hope, I am sure he understands there cannot be any undertaking from this side of the House to be able to finish so large a programme by tomorrow night.
§ Mr. GreenwoodOn previous occasions I have made the same kind of statement myself. But if we do not make further reasonable progress today—and I stand by what I said, that we will not sit unduly late—I may have to move the suspension of the Rule tomorrow, and we may have to sit late. I hope that will not happen.