§ Mr. BECKERI wish to ask your ruling, Mr. Speaker, on a question with regard to the seating accommodation in this House for visitors—I refer to the seats under the Gallery, and I want to know if men and women cannot be placed upon an equality so far as watching this Debate is concerned. I want to know whether it would be possible for you, Mr. Speaker, to rule that four ladies can sit under the Gallery with five men?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI would not like to contest the hon. Member's idea of the division, but I may tell him and the House that ladies have at present the larger opportunity in the Galleries, and I could not see my way to further increase it.
§ Mr. PENNYWould it not be possible to consider the advisability of utilising that part of the House for Members, and do away with it altogether for visitors?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think it is a very useful place for visitors on certain occasions, when Bills are under consideration which require expert advisers. I think this is necessary, and it is especially useful in that way.
§ Mr. GRATTAN DOYLEIn view of the equality of the sexes, has not the time arrived when all the Galleries and all the accommodation for visitors should be thrown open to men and women alike?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think there are still a few ladies who like to be by themselves.
§ Mr. PETOMay I ask whether you will not consider what I think is a much more reasonable suggestion, that there should be some equality in the accommodation provided for men and ladies to listen to the Debates in this House; and whether, in order to arrive at that result, you would not allocate certain benches above the clock exclusively to men as a counterpoise to the Ladies Gallery, which is open exclusively to ladies.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is asking me to divide husband from wife, and that I cannot contemplate doing.