We were told in 1903 that it was a Vital Crisis to the Empire; that it was a question of now or never; that we were refusing an offer which was like the Sibylline books, and would be shortly withdrawn.

It is not as if there were not in the country a capacity of response to This Vital Crisis which is actually stronger than that of any other country in a similar position.

In spite of this, we are asking our men, in This Vital Crisis, to draw upon all their energies and work a six-day week.

As other noble Lords have said, this is Vital Crisis support - genuinely a safety net - that is needed and should be used.