§ MR. R. HARCOURT (Montrose Burghs)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works on what principle a room in the House is allotted to the Chairman of the Welsh Liberal Members and not to the Chairman of the Scottish Liberal Members.
§ * MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)Before the Question is answered, may I ask whether the room is not allotted on the ground that the Chairman of the Welsh Liberal Members is the Leader of a separate or independent Party, and whether this amusing pretence has not for long been the laughing stock of the Lobby?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. L. HARCOURT,) Lancashire, RossendaleI do not know on what, if any, "principle" my predecessors acted when they made the allotment.
§ MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)Will the right hon. Gentleman state how long this practice has been in operation, and can he now deprive the Welsh Chairman of his room?
§ MR. L. HARCOURTI do not know how long the practice has been in operation.
§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)May I ask on what principle the right hon. Gentleman continues this allotment?
§ MR. L. HARCOURTOn the general principle of continuity of policy.
§ MR. GULLAND (Dumfries Burghs)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he will set aside a room in the House for the Chairman of the Scottish Liberal Members as he has done for the Chairman of the Liberal-Unionist and Welsh Liberal Members.
§ MR. L. HARCOURTI regret that there is no room available for this purpose.
§ MR. R. HARCOURTMay I ask my right hon. friend whether he is unable to find room for my right hon. friend the Member for Clackmannan, on account of his nationality or his cubic contents?
§ MR. L. HARCOURTIf at any future time I am able to secure accommodation that is sufficiently spacious and dignified for the present, or future, holder of the office I shall be glad to do so, but at present I have not even a cupboard available.
§ MR. R. HARCOURTMay I ask my right hon. friend whether he has not been influenced in his preferential treatment of the Celtic fringe by his hereditary Parliamentary connection with Wales.
§ MR. L. HARCOURTPerhaps I had better have family notice of any further Questions.