HC Deb 17 May 1965 vol 712 cc985-6
32. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will provide additional accommodation where hon. Members can meet Lobby and Gallery correspondents.

Mr. C. Pannell

I cannot provide accommodation for this purpose at present.

Mr. Marten

Will the Minister nevertheless give very serious attention to this Question, which was mentioned in the Green Book? I am sure that he will do everything possible to find accom- modation in order to get on with this quickly.

Mr. Pannell

Yes. I am sure that the hon. Member does not underestimate my difficulty in this matter. I have read the book to which he referred, but all suitable accommodation in the House is already taken up, and I do not know whether we can look in some other direction. But at the present time, in view of the building in Star Court and so on, we tend, as I am sure everybody wishes us to tend, to put the needs of hon. Members first. I think that I have explained previously that I am very sympathetic towards providing what accommodation we can for the Press, but it is just not available at the moment.