§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can state the approximate cost of supplying a stone front to Buckingham Palace in place of the present stucco and paint facing; and how much of such sum would be expended in labour?
Mr. HARCOURTThe approximate cost of refronting Buckingham Palace in stone to an improved design is £150,000. Almost the whole of this amount, except the contractors' profits and the cost of materials and carriage, would be expended in one form or another of labour.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of obtaining this money, in view of the large amount of labour which would be employed and of the great addition it would give to the value of the building when the time comes for the Socialist Government to take it over?
Mr. HARCOURTI am willing to submit to any pressure which the majority of the House chooses to put upon me.