§ 4. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much he intends to spend this year on grace and favour residences within his control; and whether he will itemise this expenditure in relation to each residence.
§ Mr. C. PannellI do not control grace and favour residences. With permission, I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan my right hon. Friend give me one good reason why public money should be spent on these residences at all? Is he aware that there are some very wealthy people occupying these houses and that we are constantly being told that where a person can maintain and rent his own accommodation he ought to do so, and pay out of his own pocket? Will my right hon. Friend look at this again very carefully in view of the representations of banking and other interests that public expenditure ought to be curtailed?
§ Mr. PannellMy job is to look at the actual cost. I am here not the client but the contractor. It would be worth while to state that grace and favour residents are responsible for internal decorations, tenants' repairs, heating and lighting. I doubt whether this whole matter can be put fairly in any answer to a question of this sort.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs not it a fact that many of these residences are occupied by people who have given long and distinguished service to this country and in many cases by their widows?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The Minister is not responsible for the choice of occupants.
§ Mr. ShinwellEven if a case could be made out in certain circumstances for this being continued, should not it put an end to all the silly talk about subsidising council houses?
§ Mr. PannellAgain I am not responsible for that. Generally speaking, there is accord between my right hon. Friend and me, but there are many things to be put on the record. Although the work carried out is a charge on my Vote, the residents are asked to pay for any special requirements.
§ Mr. HamiltonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I wish to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.
§ Details are as follows:
§ Hampton Court Palace
| £ | |
| Chocolate Court: installation of lift to serve six grace and favour residences | 9,000 |
| Apartments 10 and 64: renew lead work to roof | 5,000 |
| Apartment 4: reoccupation services | 3,000 |
| Apartment 32A: reoccupation services | 3,000 |
| Internal painting of staircases | 800 |
| Minor maintenance services | 160 |
| Kensington Palace | |
| Apartment 4: adaptation of sanitary services | 1,500 |
| Minor maintenance services | 780 |
| St. James's Palace | |
| York House: main roof: renew tiles and lead work, rebuild chimney stack and point chimney stacks | 3,000 |