HC Deb 17 August 1883 vol 283 cc961-2
MR. AGNEW

asked the First Commissioner of Works, If it is his intention, during the recess, to make arrangements whereby, upon the re-assembling of Parliament, Members may be afforded facilities for telephonic communication?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

My hon. Friend is apparently not aware that the telephone has already been introduced into this House—one at the Members' entrance and the other in the Upper Waiting Hall.

MR. AGNEW

I wish to say, Sir, that that fact is not generally known to hon. Members.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

Can the First Commissioner of Works give a single instance of the telephone being used except by Members of the Government, or name a Member outside of the official circle who is aware of its existence?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

I cannot say to what extent hon. Members are aware of the fact; but the telephone was introduced into this House about a fortnight ago.

COLONEL NOLAN

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if there are any more agreeable secrets of this sort which he has to disclose?

MR. CAINE

I may say the telephone has been up quite a fortnight. That one at the entrance is visible to the naked eye when you pass.