§ Mr. John MendelsonI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9—
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Robert Grant-Ferris)I am sorry but the hon. Gentleman cannot do that because I cannot accept such a Motion. There is no way in which it can be taken. It must either be taken at 7 o'clock this evening or at 3.30 tomorrow afternoon and by then we shall be scattered to the ends of the earth.
§ Mr. MendelsonDoes that mean that I shall have an opportunity on the day the House returns from the recess of seeking an emergency debate, and if I do so will it be regarded as the first opportunity at which I could move this Motion?
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerI would not like to give a quick ruling on that, but I can assure the hon. Member that anything he is entitled to will, of course, be granted by the Chair.
§ Mr. MendelsonFurther to that point of order. It is, of course, of cardinal importance that a Member who wishes to raise a subject under Standing Order No. 9 should do so at the earliest possible moment. Your original reply was no surprise to me, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I now seek an assurance from you that any such application made when the House returns will be regarded as an application at the earliest opportunity because that is why I am raising the matter now?
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerYes. The hon. Member has logic on his side there, and no doubt the matter will be given proper consideration.