HC Deb 24 November 1947 vol 444 cc1579-80
25. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Works whether he proposes to set up a committee of Members to advise him on matters arising during the rebuilding and furnishing of the new House of Commons.

Mr. Key

Yes, Sir, I have decided to set up a committee for this purpose. The right hon. and gallant Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank) and the hon. Members for Rothwell (Mr. T. J. Brooks), Mitcham (Mr. Braddock), the Forest of Dean (Mr. Philips Price), West Willesden (Mr. Viant), East Toxteth (Mr. Buchan-Hepburn) and North Cumberland (Mr. W. Roberts) have consented to serve on it under my chairmanship. The Committee will be informal, and its terms of reference will be to advise me on the interpretation of the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee on Rebuilding on questions of detail connected with the new Chamber, as they arise.

Sir Ronald Ross

Are questions of taste to be confined entirely to English Members?

Mr. Key

I think I may say that this committee was arranged through the usual channels. I am not therefore responsible for the selection of those with the necessary taste for the job.

Mr. Austin

Will my right hon. Friend see that locker accommodation is improved in the new House of Commons, as the present locker accommodation is hopelessly inadequate?

Mr. W. J. Brown

Does the right hon.. Gentleman notice that, this Committee having been arranged through the usual channels which are not open to Independent Members, there are no 'Independent Members upon the Committee? Are we to draw from that the assumption that there will be no accommodation for Independent Members?

Mr. Key

No, Sir. I think the conclusion to be drawn is that Independent Members make their wishes known quite satisfactorily under present arrangements.