§ 28. Mr. BOWERMANasked the hon. Member for the Saffron Walden Division, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will consider the propriety of increasing the pay of those employed in the lighting and ventilating department of the House of Commons, to meet the increased cost of living?
§ Mr. WALTER REA (Lord of the Treasury)So far as the men in question are contractors' men the First Commissioner has nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 9th instant. As regards men directly employed, the First Commissioner can only conform to the policy laid down by His Majesty's Government for the service as a whole.
§ 29. Colonel YATEasked the hon. Member for the Saffron Walden Division, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether provision can be made in this year's Estimates for the construction of a self-working lift up the Members' old staircase?
§ Mr. REAThe First Commissioner is unable to make provision for this service in this year's Estimates, as the Vote has already been agreed to. In view of the need for economy and the fact that a passenger lift for the use of Members has recently been installed, he hopes that another lift will not be found necessary.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman make a note of this question for consideration under next year's Estimates?
§ Mr. REAI have no doubt it will be considered if there be any real demand for it, but we must have regard to economy in view of what the Chancellor of the Exchequer has said.