§ MR. LOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that recent stringent orders have been 1119 issued, by the Lord Great Chamberlain which seriously curtail the privileges hitherto enjoyed by Members of the House of Commons who desire personally to conduct parties of their constituents through the Houses of Parliament on Saturdays; that in consequence of these restrictions Members are prevented from pointing out the architectural and historical features of the buildings; and that the course of popular constitutional education is thereby hindered; and whether he will take steps to secure for Members and their constituents a restoration of their respective privileges?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYAccording to the information which has been supplied to me no new order has been issued by the Lord Great Chamberlain; all that has been done is to republish the existing order, which has been in force for some years past. My honourable Friend is doubtless aware that a very large number of visitors view the Houses of Parliament on a Saturday. I believe there are 2,000 or 3,000 at this time of the year, and between the hours of 10 and 3.30 it is found absolutely necessary in the interests of the general public to maintain the steady flow of visitors through the building without subjecting part of these visitors to delay until addresses or explanations have been given to any particular section of the party. On the other hand, from 3.30 to 6 any Member and his friends are allowed to visit the Houses of Parliament, and every facility is offered for a more leisurely inspection; in fact, during those hours the rule to which I have referred does not apply.