With the indulgence of the House I wish to make a short personal statement. As the Government have hitherto failed to legislate for the Highlands, and have now declared through the Leader of the House that they have no time for the purpose, I decline any longer to play merely the part of a voting machine—["Oh, oh! "and laughter]—to keep the Government in Office while they fail to fulfil their pledges to my constituents.

Order, order. While this is no doubt a personal matter, it hardly comes within the denomination of a personal explanation. The hon. Gentleman will take his own course as to what he intends to do but this is hardly a matter which comes within the category of a personal explanation.

Of course I bow to your ruling, but my object was a personal explanation, and I understood I was permitted to make it at this hour.

The hon. Member has made it.