§ 18. Mr. HACKINGasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will take the necessary steps to see that the telephone boxes in the Palace of Westminster are made sound-proof.
§ Mr. CHARLES EDWARDS (Lord of the Treasury) (for the First Commissioner of Works)The Office of Works is responsible for 8 only of the 29 telephone cabinets within the Palace of Westminster. Steps have been taken recently to render three of these cabinets sound proof, and consideration is being given as to the best treatment of the remainder. I understand that my hon. Friend the Postmaster-General is giving consideration to the sound-proof qualities of the remainder of the telephone cabinets.
§ Mr. HACKINGWill the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to test these boxes in the House of Commons and compare them with the kiosks outside?
§ Sir G. PENNYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I put down a similar question in December last; and is this another instance of the rapidity with which the Department deals with its work?
§ Mr. EDWARDSI am not aware of that fact, but I will call my right hon. Friend's attention to the point raised by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hacking).
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the telephone boxes just outside the Chamber have been made into most perfect sound conductors, and that everything which goes on inside them can be heard all over the House?