§ MR. RAPHAEL (Derbyshire, S.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if he can suggest an arrangement under which ladies desirous of listening to debates in this House can do so in greater comfort than at present; and whether, as a first step, he will recommend to the House the removal of the grille in the Ladies' Gallery, which im- 1090 pedes sound and sight, and is detrimental to proper ventilation.
§ MR. HARCOURTI have endeavoured to make such improvements as are possible in the comfort and ventilation of the Ladies' Gallery. I understand that the majority of ladies who use the Gallery do not object to the grille. Sight and sound are interrupted and intercepted by the stone mullions, and I have considered the removal of these, but I find that they are so essential a part of the structure of the House that it is impossible to interfere with or remove them.
§ MR. RAMSAY MACDONALD (Leicester)Will the right hon. Gentleman inform us how he has arrived at the opinion of the majority of the ladies?
§ MR. HARCOURTThe hon. Member extracts the embarrassing confession from me that I have consulted them personally.