HL Deb 05 May 1884 vol 287 cc1267-8

Select Committee appointed: The Lords following were named of the Committee:

Ld. Chancellor. E. Granville.
Ld. President. E. Kimberley.
D. Richmond. E. Redesdale.
D. Saint Albans. E. Lathom.
D. Bedford. V. Hawarden.
M. Lansdowne. V. Hardinge.
M. Salisbury. V. Eversley.
M. Bath. Ld. Chamberlain.
Ld. Steward. L. Colville of Culross.
E. Devon. L. Monson.
E. Tankerville. L. Colchester.
E. Carnarvon. L. Ker.
E. Belmore. L. Aveland.
E. Bradford.

THE EARL OF LONGFORD

suggested that a portion of the "Royal Gallery" should be furnished as a writing room. The existing writing room adjoining the House was a mere passage. Interviews with Members of the House of Commons, or other persons on Public Business, must now be held in the corners of the Lobbies or Corridors. He hoped this Committee would take care that a convenient room should be found and properly furnished.

THE EARL OF CARNARVON

said, he thought there was reason to complain of the insufficiency of accommodation, especially on crowded nights. It was clear that little or no use was now made of the adjoining Gallery; and he thought it was a subject worthy of the attention of the Committee of the Black Rod.

THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES)

said, that there was room in the Library, which was large enough for anyone, which could be used for the purposes mentioned.

THE EARL OF LONGFORD

, in renewing his complaint, said, that the Library was too distant; a more convenient room was required.

THE EARL OF ROSEBERY

said, that, as the subject of their wants was under discussion, he wished to call attention to the fact that there was a conspicuous absence of a Smoking Room in connection with the House. When the House was in a state of political excitement after the dinner hour, there was a sensible wandering of unattached Peers about the passages, asking where they could find a place to smoke. He did not know the question was coming up, or he would have prepared himself with statistics of those Members of the House who were, and were not, addicted to the fragrant vice. But whether Members of their Lordships' House were, or were not, addicted to that vice, they must feel it was most undesirable and undignified to be relegated to the hard benches of some stray Committee Room. He thought it would add much to the comfort and convenience of noble Lords if a Smoking Room could be provided, especially on nights when there were important debates.