HC Deb 04 August 1947 vol 441 c966
28. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Works the quantity of steel tubing and corrugated iron which is being required now, and for the next two years, in connection with the repairs to Westminster Hall.

Mr. Key

There are 40,000 feet of tubular scaffolding and about 330 sheets of corrugated iron in use in connection with repairs to the roof of Westminster Hall. This amount will be sufficient to complete the repairs.

Sir T. Moore

Following up the right hon. Gentleman's reply of last week with regard to the labour employed on this job, may I ask if it would not be more economical to employ more men now and so release the men and material sooner for other purposes?

Mr. Key

No, Sir. After due consideration, I have come to the conclusion that it would not be so.

Mr. T. Macpherson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects this work in Westminster Hall to be finished, and does he know anybody who, during the last 30 years, has seen Westminster Hall without scaffolding?

Mr. Key

In my answer last week I said that there are other things in Westminster Hall because of which it will be impossible to remove some of the scaffolding until the new House of Commons has been completed, and for that reason, therefore, Westminster Hall would not be set free merely by taking down the scaffolding.