HC Deb 20 November 1968 vol 773 cc1295-6
42. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council what steps he is taking to seek to arrange a greater allocation of the available space in the Palace of Westminster for the House of Commons.

Mr. Peart

It would be inappropriate to alter the present arrangements at this juncture.

Mr. Hamilton

Is it not the case that the other place has a bigger proportion of the total space in this building than numbers, still less attendances, warrant? Will my right hon. Friend undertake to enter into discussions with the other place to see whether we can get a fair allocation for the people in this House who are more regular attenders and do more work?

Mr. Peart

My hon. Friend must be aware of the statement made by the Prime Minister on 23rd March, 1965, about the allocation of accommodation within the Palace of Westminster. I would merely say to my hon. Friend, who rightly presses me on this matter, that the accommodation requirements of the House of Lords cannot be settled until it is known what duties that House is to be expected to perform.

Sir C. Osborne

Will the right hon. Gentleman resist all temptation to reallocate space in this House if it involves further Government expenditure, because the country is bust and broke—[Interruption.]—and we shall soon have to go to foreign bankers to borrow more money to pay for our daily bread?

Mr. Peart

I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's extravagant language about being bust and broke, because hon. Members on both sides continually press me for increased expenditure on many things.

Mr. Manuel

Will my right hon. Friend look into the matter again? Does he think that we save expenditure by keeping accommodation available for many persons in the other place who do not turn up, or do so only infrequently, which means that the accommodation lies vacant for long periods when we could have the use of it?

Mr. Peart

I am always prepared to look at any evidence of waste in this respect. Indeed, as Chairman of the Services Committee, I know that individual matters are considered. I shall look into the matter, but I have given my answer, and I must stand by it.

Sir H. Harrison

Does not the Minister agree that the increased number of Ministers means that there are fewer rooms for back-benchers, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider their case, because some do not get even half a room to themselves at the present time, even after many years' service?

Mr. Peart

I have heard arguments about whether Ministers should have rooms to themselves. I believe that a Minister, of whichever party is in power, should have his own room in the House of Commons. The fact is that many more back-benchers have rooms than was the case when I first came to the House. The accommodation of the House is still a major matter which we have not settled.