HC Deb 09 April 1934 vol 288 cc131-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a sum, not exceeding £216,165, be granted to His Majesty, to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1935, for Expenditure in respect of Art and Science Buildings, Great Britain."—[NOTE: £107,000 has been voted on account.]

10.8 p.m.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I do not know what procedure the Committee would like to adopt in discussing these building Votes. It is customary for building Votes which involve new projects and new construction to be put down early in the Session in order that no delay may take place in the work upon them. That is to say, in order that Parliamentary sanction for those Votes may be obtained. The main Vote for the Office of Works, that is to say for my salary, and the overheads of the Office, is not down to-day, but it can be raised on a Supply day if the Opposition want it. That is Vote 6, and the general policy of the Office of Works and the general expenditure can be raised on that Vote. I do not know if it would be for the convenience of the Committee, or if the Chairman would desire me, to make a general statement on the new construction involved in each of the four Votes put down for to-night, or whether it be preferred that I should make a short statement on each of the four Votes as they are put. I realise, of course, that the Committee has the right to divide separately on the Votes, but it might be desirable to take together the discussion on the actual buildings to be constructed.

The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN

I think we must keep each Vote to itself on this occasion. As the Minister has pointed out, these Votes do not involve the policy of the Department. They deal with certain specified buildings and new buildings in different categories, and I think it is impossble to have a general discussion on any one of them. We must keep strictly to each Vote on its merits.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

I do not know whether it would help the Committee if I were allowed to make the few observations which I intend to make in connection with one of these Votes which I understood was arranged for this evening. If that is so, I will at once turn to Class VII, Vote 3.

The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN

We must dispose of Vote 1 first, and then the hon. Member will be entitled to raise what points he wishes on Vote 3.

Question put, and agreed to.