HC Deb 08 December 1964 vol 703 c170W
61. Mr. Frank Taylor

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that, on the evening of Monday, 30th November, the Division bell in the flat of the hon. Member for Manchester, Moss Side, was out of action; whether this was a general failure or an isolated incident; and what precautions he will take to prevent a recurrence, in view of the fact that it caused the hon. Member to miss a Division.

Mr. Benn

I am sorry that the hon. Member was inconvenienced by an isolated failure of his private Division bell.

Precautions are already taken to guard against failures. The continuity of the circuits is tested every Friday evening without ringing the bells and a ringing test is made daily from Monday to Friday at 10 a.m. For this latter test to be effective hon. Members must arrange for their bells to be switched on at 10 a.m., and if the bell does not ring for this to be reported. I would invite the continued co-operation of hon. Members in this respect.