§ 59. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that it is physically possible for only a small minority of the Members of this House to hear the Gracious Speech proroguing Parliament and the Gracious Speech opening Parliament, that the large majority of the Members of this House are thereby precluded from hearing the Gracious Speech until some hours later and are thereby handicapped in debating it, and that this is particularly important at the opening of Parliament; and if he will take steps to provide microphones to enable Members to hear those Gracious Speeches while sitting in their places in this House.
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware that accommodation for hon. Members who wish to be present with you, Mr. Speaker, in another place on these occasions is limited. The allocation of places to Members of this House, however, is not ungenerous. I do not think I can accept that hon. Members are handicapped, since printed copies of the Gracious Speech are available in the Vote Office when we return to our own House after the ceremony. I could not recommend the solution advanced by the hon. and learned Gentleman.