§ SIR EDWARD REEDasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he can state to the House the result of the negotiations with the House of Lords with respect to the Rooms proposed to be transferred to the use of the House of Commons?
§ MR. O'SHEAalso wished to know whether any further accommodation was to be provided for the reporters?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVREI am glad to be able to say that the Committee of the House of Lords, to whom my proposals were referred, have agreed to recommend them to the House for adoption. They propose to surrender three Committee Rooms on the main floor of the building for the use of the House of Commons, and to take as compensation the rooms of the residence of one of their officers, who would receive an addition to his salary as compensation. There was, however, a considerable minority in favour of an alternative scheme which was proposed by Lord Aveland, and I understand there will be opposition in the House itself to my proposal. The alternative scheme is that as compensation for the three Committee Rooms on this floor to be surrendered to the Commons, we should give up three Committee Rooms to the House of Lords on the next floor, with the understanding that when not required for the use of the Lords they should be at the disposal of the Commons; and as the pressure of the Lords' Committee work is at the end of the Session, when our Committees are over, the rooms would be generally at our disposal, as now. I think, therefore, there is murk to be said in favour of this alternative; and as the Lords have shown so much desire to meet our wishes in the matter, I think it would be well that we should endeavour, on our part, to meet them half way if we can. I have felt that I could not, on my own behalf, undertake to surrender three Committee Rooms of this House. I propose, therefore, to ask the House after Easter to appoint a small 1024 Committee to consider the alternative proposal of Lord Aveland, and also to report as to the disposition of the three rooms on this floor, which in any case wo shall now obtain, and which will, I think, immensely add to the comfort and convenience of Members. I have been unable, at present, to see my way to increasing the accommodation for reporters. The subject is one of considerable importance, and I am very anxious to give such accommodation if possible.