§ 19. Mr. CLARRYasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider restoring and increasing the amenities of the House of Commons river terrace to Members by raising the floor level of the terrace by at least 12 inches to enable Members to see the river when occupying the chairs on the terrace?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)Apart from the expense, there are practical difficulties in the way of raising the level of the terrace by the amount suggested by my hon. Friend. I considered the possibility of raising the level of the terrace by 5 to 7 inches to that of the step at the base of the wall, but, in view of the heavy cost involved—some £7,000 or £8,000—I decided to defer the work until such time as the major repairs to the paving itself became necessary.
§ Mr. CLARRYWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to say when that date is likely to arise?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAccording to present indications, in about 10 years.
§ Mr. MANDERIs the Minister aware that the terrace has lost a good deal of its attraction, and will he not try to make the period a little less than 10 years?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt may have developed slightly differently from the terrace that some hon. Members have known in the past, but I do not think that it has lost its attraction. There is the fact that people passing up and down the river cannot see hon. Members having their tea.
§ Mr. THORNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it is now more difficult for Members to commit suicide?