§ 6. Mrs. Emmetasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether officials advising on the interior decoration of embassies abroad are specially qualified or have refresher courses; and how many qualified women are employed on this duty.
§ Mr. SharpLesThe architects responsible for designing and maintaining embassies and high commissioners' residences abroad are also responsible for their interior decoration, and work in conjunction with furnishing experts in our Supplies Division. Two women on the Chief Architect's staff, who hold the diploma of decoration at London University, are available to give expert advice. My right hon. Friend also has the benefit of the advice of an Advisory Committee on Decoration and Furnishing, appointed by his predecessor in 1960, which includes two women amongst its members.
§ Mrs. EmmetIs my hon. Friend aware that, in spite of these apparently excellent arrangements, when one travels around our embassies and high commissions one is struck by the lack of imagination and appreciation of historical circumstances which might have helped in the decoration of the house, and that perhaps a slightly stronger feminine element in his Department might be helpful?
§ Mr. SharplesIt is always difficult to meet everybody's taste in matters of this kind, but I hope that my hon. Friend will pay a visit to the embassy in Warsaw, which is now being furnished, as soon as it is completed.