§ 18. Mr. OTHO NICHOLSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the conditions under which some members of the staff at No. 1, Whitehall, have to work in the repositories in the basement of the main building, where large quantities of ledgers and other records are kept, and that the place is very dusty and badly ventilated; and whether arrangements could be made to mitigate the disadvantages from which this staff suffers?
§ Mr. AMMONThe condition of these, as of all office buildings in London, is within the responsibility of His Majesty's Office of Works and Buildings, and not of the occupying Department. But I see no ground for the Admiralty making any representations in regard to them, and no suggestion that there is any ground for complaint has reached me from the staff concerned.
§ 20. Mr. NICHOLSONalso asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the office conditions in the Medical Department, where one room used as a repository is badly ventilated, poorly lighted, dusty and dirty, and another room used for typing is unlit for human habitation, especially in winter months, and clerks are still working in draughty corridors; whether the Department observes any quota of cubic space per person and, if so, what it is; and whether he will investigate the grievances of the staff with a view to immediate action?
§ Mr. AMMONIf the Admiralty had been aware that the staff of the Medical Department had any complaint to make in regard to their present accommodation they would, of course, have inquired into it and have communicated with His Majesty's Office of Works on the subject, but in view of the hon. Member's question, I will now refer the matter to my right hon. Friend.