HC Deb 09 May 1912 vol 38 cc589-90
Mr. WILLIAM THORNE

I beg to ask Mr. Speaker whether he can see his way to remove the present restriction confining admission to the Ladies' Gallery to relatives of Members, and revert to the usual custom regarding admission to the galleries of the House?

Mr. SPEAKER

My only desire is to meet the views of hon. Members in this matter. I will take an opportunity of endeavouring to inform myself, through the usual channels, of what the general feeling of the House is, and I shall certainly do what I conceive to be in accordance with the general feeling.

Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will Mr. Speaker also kindly consider whether it would be possible to revert to the old system of admission to the Ladies' Gallery, whereby Members who are successful in the ballot would have seats there for the whole of the evening; and could the same regulations apply to the Strangers' Gallery when Members are successful in the ballot?

Mr. SPEAKER

I thought I had been rather clever in devising the division of time. There are not many ladies who desire to listen through the whole evening, but there are a good many who would be glad to hear part of a Debate. By the present means we meet, I think, the requirements of the majority of the ladies.

Mr. W. REDMOND

I bow to your ruling, Sir, but, if you will excuse me in saying so, I differ entirely from you.

Mr. SPEAKER

It depends, of course, upon who is speaking.

Mr. JOYCE

May I ask, Sir, whether, if the restrictions in regard to the Ladies' Gallery were removed, we could revert to the old order of things, and bring two ladies into the precincts of the House—as used to be the case?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is not a very desirable practice. The great number of Members who are desirous of being in attendance, during, for instance, the Committee stage of the Home Rule Bill, causes considerable traffic through the inner doors. I had several complaints before the old system was stopped of the difficulty of getting in and out; and I do not think it is desirable to change the present practice.

Sir WILLIAM BYLES

Do you think, Sir, it would be possible and safe now to remove the restrictions which requires ladies to wait in St. Stephen's Hall, and not to proceed to the Central Lobby?

Mr. SPEAKER

I will also make inquiries in regard to that matter.