3. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what conditions a private organisation, namely, the Oxford Society, is allowed to have its annual general meeting in the Foreign Office; what rent is charged for the use of the room concerned; and whether similar facilities are in future to be extended on similar terms to other private organisations which might wish to meet at the Foreign Office?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)After consultation with my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works, who is responsible for the Foreign Office building, I have invited the society to meet in a room at the Foreign Office this year. Last year the meeting was held at the Ministry of Health. No rent will be charged, but there will be some small expense incurred in preparing the room for the meeting, such as the hire of chairs and the removal of furniture. I had already arranged with the Office of Works 549 to bear this expense myself, but as my hon. and gallant Friend is also a devoted son of Oxford, I shall be happy if he will go shares with me.
Captain CROOKSHANKWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the third part of the question, because, after all, there are other co-operatives and trade unions which would like similar facilities?
§ Sir J. SIMONI was awaiting the hon. and gallant Gentleman's answer to my suggestion. The Oxford Society has no political objects, and the arrangement is made simply for the convenience of a large number of members whose work lies in the region of Whitehall. I do not think the same considerations apply to other societies with political objects.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the right hon. Gentleman see that not more than twopence a chair is charged?