§ Mr. KershawOn a point of order. Can you tell us, Mr. Speaker, what progress is being made with the microphones in the Chamber? Sitting in this part of the Chamber it was very difficult to hear what the Minister said. Furthermore, the microphones seem to put a harsh and unpleasant timbre to the voices of hon. Gentlemen which I know is not in all cases justified. When the House is not silent the rustle through the microphones is frightful to hear and far more than it was under the old system. If the new system cannot work, cannot we have the other one back?
§ Mr. SpeakerNo one is more sympathetic to increased difficulty of hearing than myself. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Kershaw). I could not tell from the kindly appearance at the time of hon. Members on my right that they were suffering in this way. I am sure that the hon. Member's words will have been noted by those who are concerned, and that if we do not notice an improvement soon further steps will be taken about it.