§ MR. BODKIN (Roscommon, N.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether, pending the complete removal of the obstruction in front of the Ladies' Gallery, he can see his way to provide a wider grating, and so inaugurate a gradual and constitutional reform of the grievances complained of?
§ *THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. H. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.I have given a positive undertaking. I will not remove, or in any way meddle with, the grating without the distinct sanction of the House.
§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the grating interferes with the ventilation of the Press Gallery? Will he, in the interests of the occupants of the Gallery, take some steps to bring about an alteration?
§ *MR. H. GLADSTONEThat question will, no doubt, be considered by the Select Committee, which I hope will sit before long.
§ MR. BODKINAs there is some objection to the entire removal of the grating, will the right hon. Gentleman inquire as to whether there would not be 176 unanimous approval of a plan to widen the grating?
§ *MR. H. GLADSTONEI have been making inquiries for many weeks past, and I cannot find that there is any agreement at all on the subject.