§ 38. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what consideration the Commission has given to travel allowances and the improvement of facilities for accommodation for those members of the House of Commons staff who live outside the London area.
§ Mr. Arthur BottomleyThe Commission has received no representations on this subject.
§ Mr. RobertsI am obliged to my right hon. Friend, but does he agree that many of the staff are low paid and that if they were given travel allowances from their homes to the Palace of Westminster their conditions would be considerably improved? Hon. Members receive such an allowance, and I am sure that my right hon. Friend would wish to close the gap between the two groups.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe Commission takes the view that to give special treatment would be contrary to Civil Service practice.