HC Deb 04 November 1920 vol 134 cc568-9 The following Question stood on the Order Paper in the name of Sir Maurice Dockrell: 62. To ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that private Members who, during long hours, have to remain within the precincts of this House have no refuge from the heated atmosphere in this Chamber save the Library, in which there is a printed notice that a seat may not be reserved for more than half an hour, or the Smoking Rooms, in which the atmosphere becomes oppressive; and will he take steps, by curtailment of the offices in the basement or otherwise, to provide a billiard room and card room for Members?
Sir M. DOCKRELL

Before putting my question, may I, on a point of Order, ask whether it is competent for an ordinary question like this, which is not of very great length, to be altered four times, twice when I brought it to the Table and twice subsequently when it appeared in print?

Mr. SPEAKER

I have taken the responsibility, as I made the alterations for good and sufficient reasons.

Sir M. DOCKRELL

I would like to ask you, as an Irishman who speaks very little in this House, with great respect, to give me a little more rope.

Mr. SPEAKER

I should be rather afraid of what the result might be.

The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)

I have been asked by the Prime Minister to reply to this question. I am afraid that I do not fully appreciate the hon. Member's complaint in regard to the heated atmosphere in this Chamber. A building of this size must necessarily be warmed by means of radiators, but every endeavour is made to maintain an equable temperature and effective ventilation, to impove which we are still conducting experiments. As regards the later part of the question, there is no additional accommodation available in the building, and in any case, it is contrary to the tradition of the House that games such as those mentioned by the hon. Member should be played within the precincts.

Sir M. DOCKRELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question which I asked was, is there no refuge from the hot air in this Chamber?

Mr. SPEAKER

I hope that the hon. Member is not going to use the rope."