An MP has sparked a row by saying colleagues should receive money for childcare when Parliament sits on a Saturday.
The Commons is sitting on a Saturday today for the first time since 1982 to discuss Brexit .
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant stood up in the Commons and said he did not disagree with the need to sit today, Wales Online reports.
But the MP, who wants to become Speaker of the House of Commons, said the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) should consider financial provisions to cover the cost of childcare when MPs have to attend Parliament on a Saturday.
Mr Bryant, who doesn't have children, said he was not making the comments on his own behalf but for colleagues.
He said the nursery within the House of Commons is closed on a Saturday.
"It's very inconvenient for many people who have children. Unfortunately, the nursery is not able to be open to make sure there is childcare provided for honourable members.
"Would it not be incumbent upon IPSA to make financial provision so the cost of childcare can at least be met for members?"
Normally, MPs sit in London during the week and return to their constituencies for the weekend.
The basic annual salary for an MP is £79,468. MPs also receive expenses to cover the costs of running an office, employing staff, having somewhere to live in London or their constituency, and travelling between Parliament and their constituency.
However, his comments have earned him controversy.
One said:"Are you joking ??? Lots of families work on weekends, most don’t get help with cost of childcare any day of the week !
"Most families HAVE to work weekends just to pay the rent !! Absolutely disgusting. (sic)."
On his own Facebook page, constituents complained about his comments.
Jim Charman wrote: "Last night I worked a 10 hour night shift on a frontline ambulance. I had no support for childcare.
The MP responded: "I’m not asking for anything for myself and I expressly said that I was not complaining about working on Saturday, which I do most weeks in some shape or other."
One - seemingly sarcastically - suggested a charity single to help MPs.
"I'm currently setting up a gofundme page for all these poor MPs working this Saturday," he added.
Another called him 'despicable' and said he was an embarrassment to constituents who have to juggle childcare and work.
In response to the comments, Mr Bryant said: "People may not be aware that I have no children myself so I was not seeking anything for myself.
"There is normally a nursery in Parliament which is paid for by MPs.
"Sadly it cannot be open today. I have always campaigned for free childcare for all as they have in Sweden and am proud parents in Wales now have 30 hours of free childcare a week for three and four-year-olds.
"I have also campaigned for additional protections for all our emergency workers.
"All I was seeking was that MPs who have childcare responsibilities should not be disadvantaged compared to other MPs.
"I also believe that good employers should provide high quality childcare for their staff".
