§ 52. Sir T. Beamishasked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange for the chimes in the closed circuit television sets, showing which right hon. or hon. Member is speaking and the business being discussed on the Floor of the House, to take place a few seconds before a change is announced rather than after one.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Fred Peart)I understand that it would be technically feasible to arrange for the chimes in the closed circuit television sets to be altered to take place a few seconds before rather than after a change is announced. I will place the hon. Member's suggestion before the Services Committee for its opinion.
§ Sir T. BeamishDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that such a change would be sensible, since one could then tell what has taken place as well as what is about to take place?
§ Mr. PeartI have noted what the hon. and gallant Gentleman says and I will put this to the Services Committee.
§ Mr. HooleyWill my right hon. Friend take some steps to stop phasing the Division bells through the television apparatus, because it makes a hideous and quite unnecessary extra row?
§ Mr. ShinwellWho was the "person"—I use that expression because it is a mild one and Parliamentary—responsible for this contraption? In view of the waste of time and money involved, would my right hon. Friend return to the old-fashioned and practical annunciator?
§ Mr. PeartI can assure my right hon. Friend that I was not responsible. This occurred before I took up office as Lord President. I have great sympathy with what my right hon. Friend says.
§ Mr. SpeakerWe are ahead of time, so I can call the Prime Minister's Questions 734 if the hon. Gentlemen concerned are here and the Prime Minister is willing.