HC Deb 14 May 1969 vol 783 cc1399-400
37. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to consider the feasibility of the use of Westminster Hall as an auditorium in which visitors might watch proceedings of the House of Commons on closed circuit television.

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Fred Peart)

Any such consideration would have to await a decision of the House to televise our proceedings.

Mr. Hamilton

Why so? Is my right hon. Friend seized of the absurdity of a situation in which hundreds of people, especially in the summer, queue outside, hoping to see the House in action, while there is an enormous hall standing empty which could be used for the purposes suggested in the Question—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—and that that hall belongs to the people and not to the Members of this House?

Mr. Peart

My hon. Friend will appreciate that many of our friends from outside who come here do not come to watch television proceedings.

Mr. Heffer

Would my right hon. Friend have a further look at this? I understand completely the views expressed by hon. Gentlemen opposite. My hon. Friend must know that they would object strongly to this because such nonsense as we had last night over surtax would be seen by more people than it is at present.

Mr. Peart

My hon. Friend must appreciate the decision of the House. I am afraid that there it is.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if he agreed to this request, many more of the electors would see how the Government run their affairs, and that this would bring them down more quickly than ever?

Mr. Peart

The hon. Gentleman must speak for himself.

Mrs. Ewing

Is this not the age of the desire for participation? Would this not be a modest and distinguishable increase in participation which would not cut across the principle of televising the House outside its own precincts? What does the right hon. Gentleman have to fear from this monster anyway?

Mr. Peart

The hon. Lady should not confuse participation with watching. The two are quite different.