§ 29. Colonel DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if any decision has been arrived at with reference to the petition signed by 326 Members of this House requesting that a coloured light be displayed from the top of the Clock Tower to signalise to Members approaching the House of Commons when a Division is in progress?
§ Major Sir GEORGE HENNESSY(for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): My right hon. Friend is impressed by the number of signatures to the petition handed by the hon. Member to the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, but regrets that no funds are available for carrying out his suggestion, apart from which he feels that no expenditure is justified at the present time except on absolutely essential services.
§ Colonel DAYCan the hon. Gentleman say what the cost of maintenance would be?
§ Sir G. HENNESSYNo.
§ Mr. SEXTONWould it not be possible to illuminate the intelligence of benighted Members?
§ Commander BELLAIRSCould the hon. and gallant Gentleman ascertain whether the hon. Member and his 325 followers are willing to pay for this change?
§ Mr. RADFORDIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the very unfortunate mistaken impression that has been caused throughout the country that hon. Members are not attending to their duties in the evening?
§ Colonel DAYIn view of the widespread demand for this light as shown by the petition which contains 326 signatures of Members of this House, will the hon. and gallant Member ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he will erect the light if the small expense of putting it up is defrayed?
§ Sir G. HENNESSYI will readily put the hon. Gentleman's views before my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it not a fact that where you have a single current you can have a double lamp fixed in order to provide a red light or a white light taking the same amount of current as the existing white light? Whether it is good or bad the answer given is not an answer to the question.