asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the high speed and ill-direction of much traffic which passes along the street between the Houses of Parliament and No. 5, Old Palace Yard, he will recommend the placing of an island to assist Members, constituents and secretaries who frequently cross to No. 5, and to define the lanes of traffic at this point.

I am considering, with the Commissioner of Police and the Westminster City Council, both suggestions made by my hon. Friend, with a view to increasing the safety of all road users. I would, however, remind him that there is a pedestrian crossing in St. Margaret's Street which is police controlled when the House is sitting, and that the use of this crossing by persons going from St. Stephen's Hall to No. 5, Old Palace Yard involves an extra distance of only 50 yards.

Will the Minister bear in mind that there has already been one fatal accident there in the last month, that there are already six by-elections pending, and that Ministers' and hon. Members' secretaries are very hard to replace?

As I have indicated, I am aware of that, and am consulting the police and the Westminster City Council.

When the Minister speaks about a distance of an extra 50 yards, will he bear in mind that some hon. Members cannot afford an extra 50 yards when the Division bells are sounded?

Better to miss a Division than to a miss a limb.

Will the Minister bear in mind that even 50 yards is a personal hardship?