§ MR. A. C. MORTONI beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he can now see his way to allow the public to go through Westminster Hall?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE,) Bradford, CentralI have consulted with the authorities concerned in this matter, and find that for many reasons they are of opinion that while the House is sitting it will not be desirable or convenient to Members that the general public should be admitted within the gates of New Palace Yard, or to Westminster Hall. I believe that hon. Members are not generally aware that they are now permitted to take their friends through the Hall. This will not be interfered with. When the House is not sitting, persons who obtain tickets at the Lord Great Chamberlain's Office are allowed on Saturdays to enter Westminster Hall like other parts of the Palace; and for this purpose three or four policemen are stationed there. I find it will be possible to dispense with the necessity for taking out tickets as regards admission to Westminster Hall, and to admit the public generally to the Hall on Saturdays, when the House is not sitting. I propose to make regulations with this view.
§ MR. BOULNOIS (Marylebone, E.)May I ask whether the restriction recently placed on ex-Members of Parliament as to passing through the Hall cannot now be removed?
§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N. E.)Did I understand the right hon. Gentleman to indicate that Members are permitted to bring their friends through Westminster Hall? Is the permission not restricted to friends of one sex only?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVREI have explained the regulation in my answer.
§ MR. BYLES (York, W.R., Shipley)Could not people be admitted to Westminster Hall through the upper entrance?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVREAny person coming to the House is admitted by St. Stephen's Porch, and, of course, pass through the Hall.
§ MR. A. C. MORTONI do not think that by that entrance they go into the Hall at all.