§ 8. Sir Ian Orr-Ewingasked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will provide details of the repairs now being undertaken to the roof of Westminster Hall, giving the date of the erection of the scaffolding, the estimated date of completion, and the average number of workpeople employed each day on the project.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe work is treatment against death watch beetle in two of the roof trusses, involving the removal and replacement of decayed timbers. The scaffolding was erected in November, 1965, and the present work is likely to be completed towards the end of 1967. An average of three men have been employed daily.
§ Sir Ian Orr-EwingIs the Minister aware that it is very difficult to detect any progress or any sense of urgency? Is he further aware that, as a result of the 700th anniversary of Simon de Mont-fort's Parliament, this building is visited by an increasing number of British and overseas visitors? Would it not be wise to take down the scaffolding during the tourist season and perhaps put it up again in the winter—it is quite easy—in order to show the beauty of the hall and the magnificent roof to the many people who wish to see it?
§ Mr. PrenticeI will consider the suggestion in the latter half of that supple- 334 mentary question. I can see some difficulties, but I will look at it. On the progress of the work, one has to consider two things: first, the great importance of restoring the features of the building absolutely correctly, and secondly, the great shortage of skilled workers who can do this work. This means that the pace is slower than many of us would like, but I do not think that any of us would like the job to be rushed in a way that would lead to a less than excellent result.