A GOVERNMENT breakthrough on the Maastricht Treaty Bill could come

tonight with the support of Paddy Ashdown's 21 Liberal Democrats, who

have decided to turn against the Labour Party.

However, the Scottish and Welsh Nationalist vote of seven is expected

to return to the Labour lobby.

At stake is the Government's power to prolong the treaty Bill

discussion past 10 pm and all through the night -- a power so far denied

it for more than a month by Tory rebels combining with the Opposition

parties.

Sir Russell Johnston, Liberal Democrat spokesman on the treaty, said

that his party will not be supporting five Labour amendments tonight.

''We are not here to play games with the future of Maastricht. That is

what the Labour Party have been doing.

''They've been telling us what good Europeans they are while blocking

sensible progress, leaving it to us to make this possible, and

introducing petty amendments which will only have a delaying effect and

help nothing.''

Sir Russell added:'' It is increasingly important to ratify Maastricht

quickly. The French election result shows a rise in nationalism and the

outcome of the Danish referendum is still uncertain.''

For several weeks, the Liberal Democrats have been split at their

private party meeting about the way they should conduct themselves on

the treaty Bill, which has now run for more than 100 hours.

The Newbury by-election, where they ran second to the Tories last

time, has consolidated their thinking and they now want to push on with

the treaty Bill, casting the Labour Party in the role of political

adventurers.