§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £8,500, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on 31st day of March, 1939, for expenditure in respect of Houses of Parliament buildings.
§ 7.28 p.m.
§ The First Commissioner of Works (Sir Philip Sassoon)This Vote is sufficiently familiar to the Committee, I think, to require very little explanation from me. Provision is sought in the Estimate to meet the cost of the forthcoming reception of the French President in Westminster Hall. It covers the cost of the necessary heating alterations and other incidental expenses. Of the sum for maintenance and repairs, £1,000 is in respect of air-raid precautions and £3,000 is in respect of engineering services. The latter item covers the provision of electric light fittings and increased wages. I think it will be correct to say that the improved lighting in the House generally has met with the approval of hon. Members, and in consequence I hope that no exception will be taken to this item of £1,350 for increased current consumption. As an offset against this expenditure, there is a saving of £2,250 on furniture, etc., which is mainly due to economies effected in the cost of the black blinds for air-raid precautions.