§ LORD CLAUD HAMILTONsaid, that he had given Notice of a Question with reference to the deficiency of accommodation for members of the Press in the Grand Committee Rooms; but, understanding that the Speaker had given this matter his special attention during the last two days, he should like to ask what space the Speaker was able to place at the disposal of the Press in these two rooms?
§ MR. SPEAKERI am anxious to afford all reasonable facilities for report- 1643 ing the proceedings of the Grand Committees; because I believe that, in doing so, I shall only be giving effect to the wishes of the House. Twelve seats have been provided for reporters in each of these Committees, and I trust that that accommodation will be found sufficient. I fear that it would not be possible to extend it further without trenching unduly upon the space allotted to the public.
MR. J. COWENasked whether it was not competent for the House of Commons to dispense with the attendance of reporters altogether in the Committees; and, if so, whether, by so dispensing with them, they would not considerably facilitate the Business of those Committees?
§ [No answer was given to this Question.]