Debate on the Address

Part of Orders of the Day — Queen's Speech – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 November 1956.

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Photo of Mr Arthur Lewis Mr Arthur Lewis , West Ham North 12:00, 12 November 1956

On a point of order. I wish, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, to seek your advice and guidance. A number of my constituents had arranged to meet me, by appointment. On trying to see them, I and other hon. Members have had to go right out into the street because the police are stopping these women from coming in to see their Members. Quite a number of elderly women are standing in the cold in the street, although there is plenty of room for them in the Central Lobby. Their only purpose in coming here is to see Members on both sides of the House to protest against the Government's action in Suez. Are we to be prevented, because of some order which someone has given, from seeing our constituents in the Central Lobby after making an appointment to see them? I have missed five minutes of this debate by having to go into the street. Some of my hon. Friends are now on the pavement in the street discussing with them the suicidal policy of this Government. I would ask you, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, to make some inquiry concerning these law-abiding, respectable, constitutional women—[Laughter]—who are trying to use the Constitution which the Government have been breaking, so that I and other hon. Members can meet them in the Central Lobby in the normal way?