35. Sir F. HALLasked the First Commissioner of Works if we will state the date of the departure and proposed return of the Permanent Secretary of his Department to inspect the standard of furnishing at the new British Embassy at Washington; and will he issue, on the return of the 883 Permanent Secretary, in a White Paper the decisions arrived at by the Permanent Secretary for the future guidance of the technical officers of the Department in similar cases?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Lansbury)The Permanent Secretary left for Washington on the 26th March. He is due to return on the 1st May. The answer to the second part of the question is "No."
Sir F. HALLWhy not? If Government money is to be expended in sending a man out there to look after the furnishing and to get information, do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to give that information to other officers of the Department, so that they may be aware of it? Why will the right hon. Gentleman not impart the information?
§ Mr. LANSBURYBecause it is totally unnecessary.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the right hon. Gentleman state what is the cost of this expedition to Washington?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI answered that question last week.
§ Mr. BRACKENWhat is the necessity for sending the Permanent Secretary when the right hon. Gentleman has already commissioned an architect who is quite competent to judge this furnishing scheme?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI am sorry that the hon. Member was not present, but I answered that question also last week.