§ 29. Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONasked the First Commissioner of Works whether his Department is providing a stand for Members of Parliament and their families to see the Royal Procession to and from St. Paul's Cathedral on 6th May; if so, where; and whether any charge will be made for the seats?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)Twelve hundred seats will be available for Members of the two Houses of Parliament and their families on stands to be erected in Constitution Hill and in the Mall, for which a charge of 12s. 6d. per seat will be made to cover the costs of erection and management. As regards the allocation of House of Commons seats arrangements will be made through Mr. Speaker's Secretary in the usual manner.
§ Mr. THORNEDo I understand that this charge of 12s. 6d. is for the timber which is bought, and the construction, and that when the timber is sold the Office of Works get part of the money back again?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo, the 12s. 6d. covers only the contract for hire of the material and the cost of labour in creating the stand. As a matter of fact, no timber will be bought.
Viscountess ASTORIs there any reduction for Members with large families? For instance, if any one happens to have six children, will there be a reduction?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI had better make it quite clear that 1,200 seats between the two Houses, which is all the allocation I can make, means that no Member shall get more than two seats.