Though the debate was spread over two days the time
available was not nearly sufficient for all who wanted to speak, even a man with the detailed knowledge and fine record on this question of Mr. Harold Macmillan being unable to catch Mr. Speaker's eye. This was due to the fact that a proposal, sandwiched into the middle of the debate, to give larger powers to the Chair- men of Standing Committees encountered unexpected opposition. Mr. Churchill once more appeared as the champion of Liberty. This time he was joined by Mr. Maxton and together they put a powerful case against what they regarded as a new encroachment of the Execu- tive on the rights of the Private Member. But there is a general feeling in this Parliament that the machinery of legislation is in need of drastic overhaul and though the Whips were taken off, the dissentients only mustered 24 in the Division Lobby.
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