§ 11. Mr. Donnellyasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will take steps to ensure that in the new Parliamentary block to be provided in Bridge Street provision shall be made for a television and broadcasting studio.
§ Mr. SharplesThis is one of the matters on which we shall wish to have the views of the House.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the present system of either taking hon. Members through the traffic at risk to their lives or being interviewed outside the House in the street, as happened during the Profumo debate, is both unsatisfactory and invidious? Should we not take note of this as a simple means of modern communications that should be made available to hon. Members?
§ Mr. SharplesI agree with the hon. Member. The B.B.C. made representations about this and a requirement of this kind was put in Sir William Holford's original brief for Bridge Street as a whole Whether or not the facilities should be included in the new Parliamentary building is a matter for the whole House.
§ Mr. C. PannellIt is hoped to set up an Accommodation Committee as soon as possible after the Christmas Recess. Will the Minister consider referring this matter to that Committee, which will be considering the arrangements for the new Bridge Street site?
§ Mr. SharplesI think that this would be a very appropriate matter for this Committee to consider when you set it up, Mr. Speaker.