HC Deb 28 April 1909 vol 4 cc341-2
Mr. WILLIAM CLOUGH

I beg to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether, in view of the universal interest taken in the Budget, and in view of the fact that this will be the first financial statement of the present Chancellor of the Exchequer, you will arrange for the Galleries to be open to the public. [Cries of "No, no."]

Mr. SPEAKER

I am afraid the notice is rather short to make arrangements to open the Galleries to the public; but, in order that the public shall be informed as fully as possible of the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I have arranged that the front row of the Members' Gallery shall be at the disposal of the reporters, so that they will have further accommodation, in addition to that provided by the Press Gallery. The occasion is an important one, and perhaps the friends of the Chancellor of the Exchequer may have an opportunity another year of hearing the statement.

Mr. BYLES

Will adequate accommodation for the officials of the Inland Revenue and the Treasury be provided?

Mr. SPEAKER

Yes, any officials whose business is connected with the Budget or financial matters will have places put at their disposal to-morrow, if those demands are backed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.