HC Deb 07 February 1940 vol 357 cc194-5
20. Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will specify the schemes which have been submitted to him for lighting the Central Lobby during black-out hours; and the cost of each of them?

The First Commissioner of Works (Mr. Ramsbotham)

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hall

May I ask whether anything is to be done with regard to the Central Lobby?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I should be sorry to summarise the reply, which is long, but it shows the difficulties present in the undertaking.

Mr. Hall

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the difficulties in the Central Lobby—policemen have to stand in semi-darkness, people have to sit a considerable time in semi-darkness, and secretaries are not able to do their work? Whatever the cost, cannot something be done?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I am aware of that, but the hon. Member will see when he reads the reply that there are considerable difficulties in the way of remedying the position.

Following is the reply:

It has not been found practicable to devise a method of providing more artificial light in the Central Hall without screening the windows. Permanent screening by paint or boarding up would involve the use of artificial light during daylight hours. The shape and size of the windows are such that the provision of efficient blinds would be impracticable. Screening of the four windows could be effected either by providing curtains to the whole length which could be drawn together at night, or by permanently blacking out the top portions and providing curtains for the lower portions. Under either arrangement, the four entrances to the Central Hall which lead to corridors lighted by glass windows and to St. Stephen's Hall would have to be screened by curtains, but it might well become necessary to extend the lighting and therefore a corresponding amount of screening to further portions of the building.

Accordingly, I am unable to make a precise estimate of the total cost involved, but it would probably amount to several hundreds of pounds. Moreover, it should be realised that the restoration of normal artificial lighting in the Central Hall would entail risk of accidents to Members passing to the darkened corridors leading to obstructions and staircases; the screening of the windows of these corridors and increasing the artificial lighting, would merely shift the danger points and lead to still further extensions of window screening; at present the changes in intensity of lighting are graduated, and Members are able to accustom themselves to them. The A.R.P. Committee of both Houses, in view of all these considerations, decided that windows should generally remain unscreened and reliance placed upon a reduction of lighting and the use of pilot lights at floor level.