§ 42. Captain Gammansasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is prepared to instal additional loud-speaking apparatus in the Visitors' Gallery of this Chamber?
§ Mr. HicksYes, Sir. I am quite prepared if hon. Members so desire to consider the installation of additional loud-speaking apparatus in the Visitors' Gallery of this Chamber.
§ 43. Captain Gammansasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he has carried out any experiments with additional loud-speaking apparatus in this Chamber to improve its acoustic properties so that the Chamber can be fitted with glass windows and ventilated with fresh air?
§ Mr. HicksNo, Sir. The existing microphones have been so placed and adjusted as to pick up speech from any part of the Chamber and relay it satisfactorily to the Gallery. I am advised that if loud speakers were installed on the Floor of the Chamber, the microphones would pick up the sound, and there would be an uncontrollable volume of noise.