§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crookshank)It has been conveyed to me that it would be for the convenience of hon. Members on both sides of the House if there were a little more time today for the first part of the Second Reading debate on the Transport Bill. Therefore, if it is agreeable to hon. Members as a 1402 whole, the Government will be quite prepared to move the necessary Motion now, without notice. I should perhaps add that we hope, however, to get tonight the Second Reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill and the necessary Money Resolution, which are normally quite formal, and which we did not get on Friday.
The Motion, which I now beg to move, is in the usual form:
That the Proceedings on the Second Reading of the Transport Bill be exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) for one hour after Ten o'Clock.
§ Mr. Herbert MorrisonWe are much obliged to the Leader of the House for being agreeable to giving an additional hour to today's debate on the Second Reading of the Transport Bill. I note what he says about the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, but I think it only fair and straightforward for me to say that I cannot guarantee that we shall let that Bill go through with the degree of formality which he would desire.
§ Mr. CrookshankI can still live in hope because, after all, it is a formal matter and until it is passed the Amendments for the Committee stage cannot be put on the Order Paper; and that is, generally speaking, taking past experience as a guide, the point at which debate takes place. I shall go on hoping that we shall get it. Even if we do not, I am moving this Motion in the interests and for the convenience of the whole House.
§ Mr. Eric FletcherCan the Leader of the House say when it is proposed to take the Second Reading of the Civil Contingencies Fund Bill, which was not reached on Friday?
§ Mr. CrookshankNot today.
§ Question put, and agreed to.