§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDI do not know whether I can ask a question of Mr. Speaker now in reference to the admission of strangers; if I cannot ask it now, I would ask leave to ask it to-morrow. The question I propose to ask is this: Whether you are aware that there is widespread dissatisfaction among Members of this House with the arrangement that strangers seeking admission to the gallery should give a Member's name in all cases, whilst at the same time the Members would not be notified, and therefore cannot be responsible; and whether Mr. Speaker could not make arrangements that strangers should be admitted to the gallery whenever there is room without being called upon to give a Member's name, except in such cases as those in which the officials may consider it necessary that a Member's name should be referred to?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question which the hon. Member has put to me must have 1056 been put under a misapprehension of the rule. There is no rule that in all cases strangers should give the name of a Member. The rule, on the contrary, is that they should only give the name in cases of necessity as a reference. In ordinary cases the Member's name would not be required. But in the case of any doubtful person presenting himself, or any person whom the officials might consider to be a doubtful visitor, he would then be asked to give the name of a Member as a reference, and it is only in a case of that kind that the name of a Member would be asked for.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDAre we to consider the arrangement then to be as follows: The general public on presenting themselves have a right, without any reference to a Member, to a seat in the gallery, where there is room; but in cases where the officials at the entrance consider it desirable it should be so that strangers shall be required to give a Member's name, and shall not be admitted until that Member has been referred to?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member's statement is quite correct.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDI am much obliged.