March 21, 1951 (21st Parliament, 4th Session)

Mr. Gordon Graydon (Peel):

I rise on a question of privilege, Mr. Speaker. In some sections of the press this morning there was an indication that yesterday I had made a plea in the house for shorter hours of sitting of the House of Commons. I am quite sure that the fault with the announcement in that form could not properly be laid at the doorstep of the press, but was rather attributable to the way in which I phrased it yesterday. Perhaps I did not make my point as clear as I should have. I want to say, Mr. Speaker, that what I had in mind, as I believe most members knew, was not a request for shorter sitting hours. I was only asking for a rearrangement of the present sitting hours so that they would be more convenient for members, particularly with respect to the late hours that we sit at night.
While I am on my feet, may I say how pleased I was to have had an offer of co-operation from the Prime Minister in connection with this matter. I hope that after the Easter recess we shall somehow be able to work out something which will be satisfactory to all members, and which at the same time will not interfere with the work of the house but will rather expedite it.