HC Deb 26 May 1892 vol 4 cc1943-4
(7.43.) DR. TANNER

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will consider the question of plants that I have mentioned. Yesterday afternoon and evening this place was turned into a sort of flower garden for the benefit of some friends of the Home Secretary, and anybody who saw that display will know that what I want can easily be done. Then I should like to call the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to a sanitary matter. The gallery outside is really in a pestilential condition, and I am sure hon. Members will bear me out that during the warm weather of the last few days the atmosphere has been very bad. There is no top ventilation. The same remark applies to the lobbies outside the Committee Rooms, and owing to the absence of ventilation there the atmosphere is in a dangerously bad state. I say this is an absolute disgrace. I have gone thoroughly into the drainage system of this House, and I say that it is not what it ought to be. The main system is good, but there should be traps to all the smaller lavatories. We hear complaints of the atmosphere at the east end of this House, and that arises from the want of traps. This is a matter of great importance, and I hope some practical improvement will be achieved.

*MR. MORTON

I have a notice of Amendment down; but, as time is limited. I will not press it. But I should like to ask a question about the salaries of the lower class officials of this House. I think they are not sufficiently well paid, and I hope the right hon. Gentleman will take that matter into his consideration. We have heard that the Home Secretary had a party or soirée on the Terrace yesterday. I am only interested to know whether any part of the expense will appear in the Estimates, and also whether we may invite our constituents to a soirée on the Terrace and make use of the precincts of this House?

MR. PLUNKET

I have nothing to do with the salaries of the officials; I have to do with the buildings.

MR. MORTON

Who has?

MR. PLUNKET

In answer to the hon. Member for Cork, I may say I am afraid he will not make much impression on me personally, because I am opposed to the introduction of plants. The scheme was tried, but the plants were taken away. My own personal feeling is that they would not be any improvement to the general effect of such a building as this; but if there were an expression of opinion in favour of the plan by a majority of the Members I should not allow my own personal opinions to interfere.

DR. TANNER

On the subject of the kitchen I should like to say that I have heard a large number of complaints. The money advanced through the office of the Serjeant-at-Arms, £1,000, is not sufficient, and we shall never get the service properly effective until we grant a larger amount. I do not suppose I should be in order in moving an increase in the Vote; but I think another £500 ought to be added, and I hope the Government will take this matter into consideration, and see that the convenience of Members is properly studied.

MR. PLUNKET

The kitchen does not come under my Department, and I am not a member of the Committee, but I will communicate what the hon. Gentleman has said to the Chairman of the Committee.