MEMBERS' SEATS. (Hansard, 15 April 1920)

§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS
May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on a question of order? In accordance with the regulations of the House, I cams down to the House at five minutes past eight and left a card in this seat. There was no other card in the seat at the time. Your own officer will bear testimony to the fact, and also my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney (Mr. Bottomley), who was" present. I came down here at Prayer time, and I found the Committee card of another Member had been placed in the slot. I do not desire to raise any question of controversy between myself and the other Member, but I only ask your guidance as to whether, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the House, if a Member takes his seat at eight o'clock, and is here for Prayers, another Member is entitled to remove his card and substitute his own?

§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR
May I ask whether the technical rules of this House are not subject to the good feeling of Members, and whether it is not in accord with what, I think, is the almost universal feeling in this House, that the only lady 1850 Member should be accorded every possible courtesy and consideration?

HON. MEMBERS
No, no

Sir F. HALL
Before you reply, Mr. Speaker, may I ask whether, if ladies come as Members to this House, they should not be amenable to the same Regulations as other Members? They claim equality on all points, and, under the circumstances, should not they recognise the usual customs prevailing in this House?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
I really do not think it is necessary to continue the Debate. The hon. Member who initiated the subject has stated quite correctly what is the rule. It must be left to every hon. Member to decide for himself whether he will yield the place he is entitled to take, on coming here at eight o'clock, to anybody else. If he chooses, he can do so; if he prefers to retain his seat, he is entitled to retain his seat.

§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS
May I say that, if necessary, I shall be quite prepared to make a personal explanation on the subject. I have had some correspondence, which I am quite willing to lay before the House, but I do not think it at all necessary.