HC Deb 16 July 1874 vol 221 cc129-30
COLONEL BERESFORD

, who had a Notice on the Paper to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to the following Order— Metropolitan Police Office, 10th July, 1874. Police Orders. Parliament, Houses of.—No strangers are to be admitted to view the Palace at Westminster, unless accompanied by Peers or Members of Parliament, or unless they are provided with one of the Lord Chamberlain's orders or with an order in writing from the Usher of the Black Rod for the House of Lords, or with one in writing from the Sergeant at Arms for the House of Commons. E. Y. W. HENDERSON. and, if he would inform the House on whose authority Colonel Henderson has issued this document, which takes away a privilege enjoyed for so many years past by the public?—said, he had been requested by the right hon. Gentleman to postpone his Question until Monday next, but as he could not attend the House on Monday, he wished in a few words to offer some explanation for having put his Question on the Paper. About three weeks ago he applied to the noble Lord the First Commissioner of Works for leave for a body of men belonging to a club in Southwark to see that House and be shown over the Clock Tower. The noble Lord, with the courtesy for which he was distinguished, at once granted that leave, and a portion of the club came there and saw all they wished to see. When, however, on the following Saturday, the second batch presented themselves, they were pe- remptorily refused to be shown anything at all. He considered the order of which he complained to be a great Breach of the Privileges of that House, and he submitted that it should be cancelled, at least so far as that portion of the Palace of Westminster was concerned.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

said, he was sorry his hon. and gallant Friend had brought the subject forward that evening, because before answering the Question he wished to put himself in communication with the Lord Great Chamberlain, who was out of town, and he had not yet had an opportunity of seeing him.