§ Mr. W. THORNEBefore you proceed to the Business of the House, Mr. Speaker, may I put a question to you affecting me personally? On Monday afternoon I was taking a number of children through the 1441 House. At the entrance to the Library there is a notice posted up "Silence." I was explaining to the children the names of the Speakers whose portraits are there. I understand that I have been reported in consequence for a breach of the Rules. As a matter of fact, I did exactly the same thing again to-day, and I understand that one of the hon. Members for Portsmouth is going to report me again.
§ Mr. SPEAKERNo report has yet reached me. If it does, I will deal kindly with the hon. Member.
§ Sir JOSEPH NALLMay I ask you, Sir, whether, in view of the fact that the libraries are the only places where private Members can transact their Parliamentary correspondence, you will consider if they can be closed to the public during the morning. [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no."]
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am not prepared, without notice, to deal with any suggestion of that kind. I am, however, always open to receive suggestions from the hon. Member about the rooms of the House.
§ Mr. MACKINDERIn view of the tremendous amount of interest taken by the school children in this Houses and in the long list of your predecessors, will you, Sir, take that into consideration if any representations such as we have heard of are made?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI shall not take any decision in a matter of this sort without consideration of both points of view.