§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopI wish to raise with you, Mr. Speaker, a question of privilege of which I have given you notice, but if you decide that there is a better way of dealing with it, then I shall gladly accept your advice.
I refer to what started as a nuisance but which has now become an impediment to the work of the House, particularly in its Committees, namely, the widespread use of loudspeakers by vessels going up and down the River Thames adjacent to the House. It has now 1592 reached the extent to which witnesses giving evidence before Select Committees cannot be heard, and the shorthand writers, who have the difficult job of recording what is said, have great difficulty in taking it down. I do not think I need elaborate by giving examples because I am sure that all hon. Members, including yourself, Sir, are familiar with them. I should welcome any action which you can take, Mr. Speaker, to abate this nuisance to the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for having given me notice that he would raise this matter. As the occupant for a time of a "tied cottage" facing the river and adjacent to portions of the Palace of Westminster which Members of Her Majesty's Commons use for their lawful purposes, I am very much aware of the nuisance. But I am very doubtful whether it is a matter of privilege. Therefore, I hope that it will not be persisted in as a matter of privilege.
The House, I am led to believe, is likely to rise tomorrow. By the time that it resumes its sittings the Thames boating season will, I think, be over. Perhaps the matter could be considered during the winter through a variety of channels. If the nuisance is persisted in next summer or earlier when the House is sitting, perhaps the hon. Gentleman will raise the matter again.