§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if he can state how many hours police officers have to stand about the precincts of the House; and whether, in view of the fatigue involved, he could provide a certain number of seats for these officers.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. HARCOURT,) Lancashire, RossendaleThe hours of the police in the House of Commons are under the control of the authorities of the House and the Home Secretary. They vary according to the necessities of business and the length of the sitting, but are much shorter than they used to be before the operation of the new rules governing procedure. I should be very glad if at any time I could see my way to alleviate the fatigue which is necessarily involved by the duties they so admirably perform.