§ 2.49 p.m.
THE EARL OF ARRANMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask the Chairman of Committees whether he will consider making arrangements for the improvement of the acoustics of this Chamber.]
§ THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)My Lords, in reply to the noble Earl I should like to say that I am entirely willing to draw the attention of the Administration Committee to any improvements which he, or any other noble Lord, may suggest in our present system of speech reinforcement in this Chamber. That, however, is not quite the end of my reply and the noble Earl might like to have a little further information.
Our present system is designed with two factors in mind. First, the best reception for each microphone is limited both in distance and in area. The microphones are designed to pick up speech which is directed at them from within a maximum distance of 9 ft.
Secondly, the loudspeakers in the Benches are designed to be listened to from a maximum distance of 18 in. From this it will be seen that when a noble Lord, in addressing his remarks to some particular area of the House, speaks in a direction away from the nearest microphone, or, as is inevitable in the course of debate, turns his face in another direction, he runs the risk of losing speech reinforcement and may not be clearly heard. Similarly, if a noble Lord looks down while speaking, or reads his speech, he will again be at the same risk.
I would emphasise that these limitations are inevitable in any system other than that where individual microphones are at the disposal of everybody. Those of your Lordships who have attended the assemblies of the Western European Union or the Council of Europe will be familiar with the system of individual microphones; but, of course, the arrangement of their seats and benches is entirely different from the design of this Chamber. I should finally like to say that the 604 Ministry of Public Building and Works will always welcome suggestions, and is ready to investigate any complaints. I would ask noble Lords who have either in mind to let me have them in writing so that they can be fully considered at the earliest possible opportunity by the Administration Committee.
THE EARL OF ARRANMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl the Lord Chairman for his semi-satisfactory Answer, may I ask whether particular attention can be paid to removing the need for these loudspeakers which we trip over, and which caused an unfriendly Member of the other place recently to say that he was all in favour of your Lordships being televised, "ear trumpets and all"? May I suggest that these objects are unattractive and undignified, and not usually very helpful?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, of course we will certainly consider if there is any alternative pattern or shape of these earphones. That is a matter I shall gladly refer to the Administration Committee.
§ BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEYMy Lords, may I ask the Lord Chairman whether it would not be possible to have two more rows of microphones at the back row of the Benches, as I find I have to become a Liberal in order to be heard distinctly?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, that suggestion by the noble Baroness will certainly be taken into consideration.
LORD REAMy Lords, will the noble Earl make any comment on the fact that up till recently the House of Lords proceeded without any microphones and was well heard? Have the acoustics deteriorated so much that they are now necessary, or is it perhaps the human ear that has failed?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, as the noble Lord will appreciate, that is a slightly different question from the Question on the Paper, and I should need some notice, I think, in order to inquire into the difference in the acoustic qualities of the House as between then and now.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD GARDINER)My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whom these loudspeakers are 605 supposed to benefit, and whether they are supposed to operate through a wig?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I will certainly not fail to answer the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor. I think they may be of some use to any noble Lords or Judges in Parliament who happen to occupy these seats, but I appreciate that they are of no benefit to the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor.
THE EARL OF ARRANMy Lords, since I understand we are shortly to have air-conditioning in this House, might it not be a practical suggestion that the whole question of acoustics should be looked into at the same time, bearing in mind the various recommendations that may be made by noble Lords?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELYes, my Lords. I can assure the noble Earl that, air-conditioning or no air-conditioning, all the comments that have been made in the course of these questions will be very carefully considered.