§ 38. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware that Members and their secretaries are accommodated in rooms on the Upper Committee corridors of the House, and that the Rank Xerox copying machines are situated on the interview floor, entailing loss of time in essential copying of Parliamentary documents; and whether he will arrange installation of a copying machine in an alcove in the corridors referred to.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI have been asked to reply.
I hope that it may be possible to install a copying machine in the North Bridge corridor, but it is unlikely that the necessary arrangements for its supervision can be made before the Summer Recess.
§ Sir G. NabarroWill my hon. Friend bear in mind the great distances now involved owing to the extension of Members' accommodation, which means that secretaries and hon. Members have to travel excessive distances on foot if they wish to photocopy a document? Since secretarial charges are set against tax, the revenue is thereby being diminished on account of wasted time for Members and their secretaries. Could not the Government buck up and install this machine next week?
§ Mr. BakerThe machine could be put in next week, but there are certain regulations which have to be followed, particularly in regard to fire precautions, and this requires some degree of supervision. Arrangements are being made with the assistance of the HANSARD office. Since my hon. Friend has a great concern for any increase in the number of Government employees, I am sure he would not want a special supervisor to be specifically employed in looking after one machine in the corridor to which the Question refers.