§ 78. Mr. MARDY JONESasked the right hon. Member for Cheltenham, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he is aware of the anomaly that a lady Member of the House can entertain a gentleman friend in the Stranger's Dining Boom, whereas a male Member of the. House is not permitted to entertain a lady friend in the said room; and will he undertake to rectify this anomaly?
§ Sir JAMES AGG-GARDNERThis suggestion has been considered more than once by the Kitchen Committee, and we regret that, owing to the restricted dining room accommodation, its adoption is impracticable. Further, I would remind the hon. Member that there are already three dining rooms to which ladies may be invited to dinner, while there is only one room in which a Member can entertain his male friends.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this is the most attractive of the dining rooms?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINTo counterbalance this, could we apply for a few men's tickets in the Ladies' Gallery? There is always room there, the other gallery is crowded.
§ Miss JEWSONCould the hon. Gentleman make it perfectly clear that lady Members have no special privileges, because they cannot take their friends in 1523 any more than the men can? It ought to be clear to the House that we have no special privileges.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESMay I ask the right hon. Member whether he is prepared to induce the Government to go to the country on this question?