Part II. Ladies in the Gallerywere allowed since 1762 but Sheridan's wife could hear her husband speak only dressed up as a man

Ladies in the Gallerywere allowed since 1762 but Sheridan's wife could hear her husband speak only dressed up as a man. A separate screen gallery was built for ladies. The question of segregation was finally settled by the enemy bomb which destroyed the House of Commons in 1941. Today men and women sit together in the Strangers' gallery which is open from 5.30 p. m. to about 10.30 p. m. on weekdays except Friday (from 9.30 a. m. to 3 p. m.)

Before the official Opening of Parliament at the beginning of each session underground chambers of the House of Lords are searched by the Queen's Body Guard. This ceremony commemorates the unsuccessful attempt to blow up King James of England and his Parliament by Guy Fawkes and other conspirators on November 5, 1605.

British people are rather critical about their Parliament. They admit that for any visitor to the either of the two Houses it becomes clear that all that most members do about power is to talk about it. Talk is their business, and how they talk! They talk apparently to no one, but never mind. 40,000 words are said every working day. Most of the speeches are not intended to influence thought or action. Even angry Parliamentary debate has the same effect upon national events as a slammed door has upon domestic arguments. 9/10 of what goes on at Westminster is an elaborate piece of play­acting. When the time comes the Whips and the Speaker will see that the vote should go with the Government.

But there is another side of the work of Parliament. By 3speeches Parliament limited monarchs, tamed tyrants, averted revolutions.In fact an MP can say whatever he likes, raise whatever problem, thus leaving no closed zones or white spots. The problem may be rejected, talked to death but can not be concealed from public. Parliamentary democracy is the main factor of the stability of the British political system. They joke that British Parliament can do anything but turn man into woman.

The sitting of each House is preluded by processions of the Lord Chancellor and the Speaker into their Houses. Inspector of the police announces "Hats off, strangers! Speaker in Chair". Strangers and MPs bow to the Speaker. Prayers are then read by the bishop on duty for that day. The prayers include a petition that members may lay aside "all private interests, prejudices and affections", so that the public wealth, peace and tranquillity of the Realm may be maintained. The Speaker wears a horsehair wig, black silk robe, knee breeches and buckled shoes.

A session of the House of Commons lasts for about 160-170 days (in the House of Lords it is shorter) with several intervals during its work. By present custom, a session is divided into 5 periods: from November (when the session is opened) till Christmas (about 3 weeks), from January till Easter (2 weeks), from Easter till Whitsun (2 weeks), from Whitsun till the end of July or late August (2 months).

Notes to the text:

segregation – отделение, изоляция

to commemorate – служить напоминанием

to tame – смирять, смягчать

to avert – предотвращать

Realm – королевство

horsehair wig – парик из конского волоса

knee breeches – бриджи до колен

buckled shoes – туфли на пряжках

Whitsun – Духов день, седьмое воскресение после Пасхи

Task 15. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following words and word combinations: уладить вопрос, кроме, личная охрана королевы, неудачная попытка, неважно, семейные споры, происходить, тщательно продуманная театральная игра, поднять проблему, белые пятна, утаить от общественности, посторонний человек, читать молитвы, епископ, откладывать в сторону, сохранять спокойствие, длиться, Пасха.

Task 16. Check your memory and say what these numbers refer to: 1762; 1941; 5.30; 10.30; 1605; 40,000; 9/10; 160-170; 5.

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