§ 9. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he last reviewed the arrangements for accidents and sudden illness suffered by his staff in the Palace of Westminster; and what was the date on which the last improvements were made.
§ Mr. SharplesA thorough examination was made in July of this year; I cannot give a precise date on which improvements were last made, but the arrangements are under constant review and have been up to standard for many years.
§ Mr. PavittIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his Answer is totally inadequate and that no major changes in the health arrangements in this House have been made since the beginning of the century, except for the slight alteration made at the suggestion of my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross)? Will he please consult with the other authorities in the House so that we may have an official 1025 statement on the state of health arrangements, perhaps with the co-operation of the Minister of Labour and the Factories Industrial Medical Officer? Is he aware that the conditions of health care in this House are inferior to those which prevailed in slum factories in the East End of London in the last century, and what does he propose to do about it?
§ Mr. SharplesThe hon. Member's Question relates to the first-aid facilities which are available for the staff of the Ministry of Public Building and Works. Those facilities have been inspected by the Ministry of Labour and are said to be satisfactory. However, I agree that the room which is used for those facilities could be improved and I am looking into the matter to see what can be done.