HC Deb 21 April 1971 vol 815 cc1173-4
33. Mr. Fell

asked the Lord President of the Council what bath facilities exist for women Members of Parliament within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster.

Mr. Whitelaw

One bath for the use of women Members is available next door to their lounge off the Library corridor.

Mr. Fell

In view of that not fright-fully satisfactory answer, will my right hon. Friend have a care for his splendid reputation, because, contrary to general belief, hell hath a fury greater than a woman scorned—that is, a woman parted from her bath?

Mr. Whitelaw

I shall see what can be done in the hope of providing more bath space. What I have not worked out is the percentage of baths for women Members compared with the percentage for male Members. I fancy that it may be just about the same.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Now that the right hon. Gentleman has disclosed the location of the bathroom, will he ensure that the windows are suitably screened?

Mr. Whitelaw

I should hope that they were.

Dame Irene Ward

While thanking all my colleagues for the generous way in which they try to look after the interests of women Members, may I ask my hon. Friend the Member for Yarmouth (Mr. Fell) to allow women to look after themselves on occasions like this? A letter came to me which was addressed to the lady Members of Parliament sent by some pathetic people subject to slum clearance who wanted baths provided for them. I am not in favour of odd Mem- bers of Parliament talking about things they know nothing about.

Mr. Whitelaw

This is the moment when I say no more.