HC Deb 13 July 1966 vol 731 cc1455-6
40. Mr. Hamling

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of hon. Members with the lack of facilities for Members to meet Lobby correspondents; and if he will seek to improve the present facilities.

Mr. Bowden

I will ask the appropriate Sub-Committee to look into this matter.

Mr. Hamling

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the old days there was a common place of meeting for members of the Lobby and Members of Parlia- ment? Is he aware that the reestablishment of such a meeting place, perhaps enabling us to avoid "Bert's Bar", would be very welcome on all sides?

Mr. Bowden

I am not unsympathetic to my hon. Friend's proposal. It is true that in the days before the bombing in the last war, there was a bar known as "Annie's Bar" which was freely available to members of the Lobby and to Members of the House.

Mr. Lipton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is occasionally more dissatisfaction about the lack of facilities for avoiding Lobby correspondents?