§ 35. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Lord President of the Council what additional accommodation is currently being constructed for hon. Members; how many additional separate rooms will be provided; how soon he expects the work to be completed; and what is the estimated total cost.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Robert Carr)Additional accommodation for Members is now being constructed over the Tea Room. This will consist of 43 double rooms and six rooms with four desks each, so providing accommodation for over 100 Members. The work will be completed during the next Christmas Recess, and the estimated cost is £240,000.
In addition, alterations are being made to 3 Dean's Yard which will provide 502 accommodation for an additional 40 Members.
§ Mr. HamiltonI am grateful for that information. Can the right hon. Gentleman say how far demand exceeds supply? Will he accept an assurance from me that even the new accommodation which has been provided over the last few years leaves many hon. Members in only a slightly better position than that of a battery hen? Will he undertake, therefore, to seek further possibilities in this building rather than over the road to provide decent and separate accommodation for the ordinary back bencher?
§ Mr. CarrIn my early years in this House I suffered the conditions of a free-range hen. I also remember the battery hen conditions to which the hon. Gentleman has referred. Undoubtedly there is an excess of demand over supply. I cannot quantify it after only 10 days in my present position. But the ultimate answer is the new parliamentary building which I am sure the House hopes will be completed by 1978.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that I have the same experience as the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) since I am a neighbour of his in a room on the Upper North Corridor, where the sound insulation between rooms might not be there at all for all the use it is? Will my right hon. Friend give attention to seeing that when the new rooms are constructed the sound insulation is at least better than that on the Upper North Corridor?
§ Mr. CarrI will bear that in mind. Meanwhile, I hope that both hon. Members enjoy their listening.
§ Mr. C. PannellThe Lord President referred to the new parliamentary building across the road as "the ultimate solution". Meanwhile, will he look at the possibility of clearing out all the functionaries from the Committee Offices upstairs? What hon. Members want is accommodation near the Chamber. Officials should take second place. I know the vested interests involved. But will the right hon. Gentleman pursue the path of obstinacy that he followed with regard to industrial relations and understand that parliamentary relationships will be very much better if Members 503 get their proper prior place in this building?
§ Mr. CarrI will bear in mind what the right hon. Gentleman has said. I am sure the House will realise that the officials who serve us also have their very genuine needs if they are to serve us as we wish them to. But I will make sure that the Services Committee gives this matter careful consideration.