EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I should perhaps inform your Lordships of my understanding of the arrangements for this afternoon and evening, if we have a power cut. I am afraid that I am not in a position to inform your Lordships whether or when the electricity supply could fail in your Lordships' House, but perhaps I should draw your Lordships' attention to the fact that powerful battery lamps have been provided for both Dispatch Boxes, and I gather that there is ten hours' light supply in those rather formidable-looking instruments. Also, there are arrangements to provide adequate lighting in the Division Lobbies, should a Division take place.
If it has the agreement of noble Lords on all sides of the House and suits the general convenience, I should like to suggest that if there is a failure of light and noble Lords wish to avail themselves of their notes they should feel quite free to speak from the Dispatch Boxes, perhaps using the part nearest to the Clerks.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords I am much obliged to the noble Earl. I hope it will not be necessary also to take advantage of freezing fog as an additional reason for curtailing the debate. We are grateful to the noble Earl. Certainly we on this side would welcome anyone coming to speak from the Dispatch Box, or from near the Dispatch Box. I have no doubt the noble Earl will continue to give what warning he can. If definite information becomes available as to the likelihood of a power cut, perhaps it could be announced over the Tannoy 1038 system. There were a number of rumours circulating yesterday. It may not be possible to get definite information, but if some warning can be given then people can ready themselves; they can orientate themselves in relation to the door, and such matters. Perhaps we can continue to be informed in the way that British Railways have now taken to informing us every time there is a breakdown.
§ LORD RITCHIE-CALDERMy Lord, may I ask the noble Earl the Leader of the House whether, in the arrangements which he has made, he has made any for the Press Gallery also to be provided with lights? Secondly, will noble Lords remember that when the electricity goes off so does the microphone system. Therefore, would your Lordships please speak as noble Lords must have done before we had microphones?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I am grateful to both noble Lords who have just spoken. I very much like the suggestion which the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition has made about the Tannoy system, and I will have that looked into. In reply to the noble Lord, Lord Ritchie-Calder, I am afraid that at the present time no special lighting has been provided in the Press Gallery, but, with the appropriate authorities of the House, I will have that matter looked into forthwith I am grateful to the noble Lord for his suggestion.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, the noble Earl is in a very accommodating mood. I am a little nervous about his making appeals for anything, since his appeals for short speeches yesterday were not heard, certainly not on his own Front Bench.