HC Deb 13 July 1966 vol 731 cc1456-7
41. Mr. McNamara

asked the Lord President of the Council what progress is being made towards supplying each private Member who requests one with a desk in the precincts.

Sir G. Wills

I have been asked to reply.

There are at present 134 allocated writing places for private Members in rooms, including desk rooms, in the precincts. Eighteen private Members are on the waiting list for desks in the precincts only and 13 private Members who already have desks outside but would like to move into the precincts.

Mr. McNamara

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but does he not think that it is a deplorable situation? Will he ask his Committee to give the Government a shove in order to try to obtain better accommodation for Members?

Sir G. Wills

We are always trying to get more accommodation, and there will be more accommodation when Star Chamber Court is occupied. Single and double rooms in these precincts will be available for Members.

42. Mr. McNamara

asked the Lord President of the Council how many new Members have been provided with desk accommodation in the precincts; what proportion this is of the number of new Members returned at the last two general elections; and when the rest will be accommodated in the precincts.

Sir G. Wills

I have been asked to reply. Thirty-eight of the 143 Members who have been elected since October, 1964, have desks in the precincts. This is 26.5 per cent. of the total.

It is not yet possible to say when all the Members elected since October, 1964, will be able to have desk accommodation in the precincts.

Mr. McNamara

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Does he realise the great distress which this will cause new Members who are concerned about the lack of facilities? Can he give any indication when the facilities in Star Chamber Court will be available and what proportion of new Members will have desks allocated to them?

Sir G. Wills

It is not possible to give any indication of the proportion of new Members who will get these facilities in Star Chamber Court, but the Committee will do everything it can to ensure that as much accommodation as possible is made available to Members. We cannot get a quart out of a pint pot.