HC Deb 26 November 1984 vol 68 cc611-2
52. Mr. Nicholas Baker

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has any plans to improve facilities in the Palace of Westminster for the spouses of hon. Members.

Mr. Biffen

No, Sir.

Mr. Baker

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the husbands and wives of hon. Members work very much as the partners of their spouses and that access to the House for them is very poor? Will my right hon. Friend, as a matter of urgency, investigate ways of improving access to the Galleries and the building for husbands and wives of hon. Members? In particular, will he consider whether part of the Strangers Gallery should be set aside for them? If my right hon. Friend is in any doubt about the matter, will he please consult his wife?

Mr. Biffen

My wife has certainly never complained about that. Being aware of the important role played by spouses, the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee undertook an investigation of what facilities could reasonably he provided, and those facilities are detailed in "Facilities for Members' Spouses", which was printed as recently as 1982. The authorities have received no complaints about problems of access to the Galleries. [HON. MEMBERS: "Wait and see."] My shoulders are hunched and braced. If my hon. Friend is concerned about this matter, it is open to him to complain to me.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

If there is a problem, could it not be overcome if the House kept more sensible hours? Hon. Members, like other working people, could then go home to their spouses.

Mr. Biffen

I hope that the Social Democratic party has something more to offer than a programme of nine to five.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

In view of the unfortunately high divorce rate among hon. Members on both sides of the House, perhaps my right hon. Friend should consider carefully what other facilities should be made available to the wives of hon. Members. Does he agree that wives should have access to the side Galleries so that they can hear debates and see their husbands?

Mr. Biffen

Such matters were carefully considered by the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee before it published its list of facilities available for Members' spouses. However, the Committee is open to receive further advice on the matter.