HC Deb 10 May 1972 vol 836 cc1310-2
37. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is yet in a position to make a statement denoting the accommodation arrangements for a minimum of 400 motor cars, driven by Members of Parliament, which is the agreed number to be accommodated on occasions of three line Whips on both sides of the House, during the construction of the underground car park in Palace Yard from summer 1972 to summer 1973 when accommodation for only 100 motor cars will be available within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

I have been asked to reply.

The Services Committee laid a report on the Table of the House last night making recommendations with regard to parking facilities for Members' cars during the construction of the new underground car park. This report will be published on Friday. The arrangements provided that at no time during the construction of the underground car park should there be fewer parking spaces for Members than at present.

Sir G. Nahum

I recognise the hard work carried out by the Services Committee in this important matter, but will my hon. Friend have regard to the fact that the proposals contained in the report suggest that more than 70 per cent. of the space to be provided is at Broad Sanctuary? Since this is some distance away from New Palace Yard and hon. Members will be gravely inconvenienced in reaching the Division Lobbies and may well miss Divisions because of traffic congestion, will not this cause some discomfiture to the Patronage Secretary? Therefore, will my hon. Friend recommend to the Patronage Secretary and the Opposition Chief Whip that the length of a Division should temporarily be extended from seven to 10 minutes in order to accommodate all those aggravated Members who will be some distance away in their cars?

Mr. Baker

The critical period is only in the two months of November and December later this year when the parking spaces in New Palace Yard will be temporarily reduced from 100 to about 25. I hope that I may ask for the forbearance of hon. Members in appreciating this point in Divisions just before Christmas. I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Patronage Secretary and the Opposition Chief Whip will share the general desire not to have a three-line Whip at 10 o'clock in November and December.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Since I have not yet had the benefit of seeing the report of the Services Committee, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to say whether the Committee considered the suggestion made by the Motor Club that the Old Scotland Yard parking facilities would be available, if only temporarily, for Members of Parliament because that would help the position? Does he not appreciate that there is a large car park there which could be used by hon. Members?

Mr. Baker

I am told that the Services Committee considered that matter, and the car park to which the hon. Member refers is not available during this period. One of the main recommendations of the Services Committee is to ask the servants of the House to forgo 60 of their places in Old Palace Yard, for which I am sure we shall be grateful.

Mr. Cormack

Is my hon. Friend aware that it has been suggested that the construction of the new car park will threaten the foundations of Westminster Hall? Is he satisfied that this is not the case?

Mr. Baker

I am sure that the architects and the Services Committee who have been advising on these matters are satisfied that this will not occur.