HC Deb 16 April 1896 vol 39 cc1017-8
SIR HENRY HOWORTH (Salford, S.)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been called to the utterly inadequate accommodation for Members of the House of Commons in the Peers' Chamber; whether he is aware that the space thus allotted to Members of Parliament, on occasions when an interesting Debate is in progress, is very largely encroached upon by others who are not Members of Parliament; whether he will state what persons have access to this space as a matter of right in addition to Members of Parliament; and, whether it would be possible to find room for them elsewhere?

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

asked whether, if any redistribution of the places available for visitors were effected in the House of Lords, the right hon. Gentleman would take care that members of the general public were given an opportunity of viewing the Chamber?

MR. HERBERT LEWIS

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that in Colonial Legislatures the members of one Chamber were provided with seats when they were summoned to attend the other House, and whether he would consider the advisability of making similar provision for the accommodation in the House of Lords of Members of the House of Commons?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine's

The matter is not one which comes under my jurisdiction, but by the courtesy of the Lord Great Chamberlain, I am permitted to state that the space at the disposal of Members of the House of Commons is limited to some 50 seats in the galleries, and to the space inside, and behind the Bar. The seats in the gallery, known as the Commons Gallery, are exclusively reserved for Members—while to the space at the Bar, younger sons of Peers as well as M.P.'s are admitted. I am informed that on the occasions alluded to more stringent regulations will be taken to keep the space at the Bar for the exclusive use of M.P.'s. I do not see where further accommodation can be found. I have no jurisdiction in this matter, but I will repeat what hon. Members have asked to the Lord Great Chamberlain.