§ 3. Mr. Juddasked the Minister of Public Building and Works on how many occasions between 17th December 1969 and 13th January, 1970, inclusive, the morning temperature in window seats in the typing pool in Room 1231 of the Central Office Block in Portsmouth Dockyard was below 60 degrees Fahrenheit; what is the estimated cost of making good the heating and ventilation of this building; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Public Building and Works (Mr. Charles Loughlin)The occupying department carried out checks in this block during this period and temperatures were recorded below 70°F on only two occasions. Tubular heaters will, however, be fitted in this room adjacent to the windows in cold areas between heating vents. I am proposing to improve the ventilation of this office block at an approximate cost of £70,000.
§ Mr. JuddWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he would not agree that the temperatures to which he referred did not apply to the entire room space? Would he not further agree that these intolerable working conditions are another example of inadequate design or inadequate construction, or both, and that a full departmental inquiry ought to be held into the building of this office block so that similar expensive mistakes can be avoided in future?
§ Mr. LoughlinI am not sure that there are design faults in this. The temperatures recorded by the staff, which no doubt prompted my hon. Friend's Question, were temperature readings taken within 18 inches of the windows. I appreciate that there are bound to be variations in temperature in a room. All I can say is that we are looking at the problem and will do whatever we possibly can to ensure that the staff have reasonable working conditions.