Although secret sessions of Parliament in Great Britain arouse considerable comment, both Houses - Peers and Commons - theoretically meet in private, because it is still contrary to the Standing Orders of the Houses that "strangers" should be present. Even the publication of reports of Parliamentary proceedings is a technical breach of privilege - a breach which is ignored, since the Standing Orders relating to "strangers" are not enforced except - as happened yesterday - the Houses are to discuss some matters which, in the public interest, should not be disclosed.
When a secret session is to be held, it is necessary that the motion for the exclusion of "strangers" should be passed without amendment or debate, and the power to order their withdrawal is restricted to the Speaker.
Technically, ladies are not "strangers". Nevertheless, they are not allowed within the precincts of Parliament during secret session.
While I am on the subject of Parliaments, there is an interesting difference between formalities at Westminster and in Leinster House.
In both the House of Lords and House of Commons the public galleries are not opened until after prayers; in both the Dail and Senate the galleries are opened before prayers. In the Dail it is the Speaker who recites the prayer - in Irish and English - while in the Senate it is the duty of the Clerk of the House.
The hiding of ladies in a gallery behind a grating above the Press Gallery is another Westminster feature which has not been adopted in this country, and women have equal rights with men to be present in the public galleries of both Houses.
The Irish Times, June 21st, 1940.