§ 35. Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recommendations of the Services Committee are currently awaiting implementation.
§ Mr. PymLast Session the Committee in two reports put forward proposals for a new building for Parliament and for granting access and certain facilities to Members of the European Parliament. No action will be taken on these reports until they have been debated in the House. Also outstanding are the recommendations contained in the report on the cleaning and restoration of the exterior of the Palace of Westminster, on which I understand my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be reaching a decision very shortly.
§ Mr. JannerPending the reaching of a decision on the cleaning and restoration of the exterior of the Palace of Westminster, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the reports are correct that the stonework above the entrance to Westminster Hall is dangerous? Can he say when the decision will be made and announced.
§ Mr. PymThe hon. and learned Gentleman is right. There has been a fall of masonry from the north end of the outside of Westminster Hall. This has been dealt with by the Works Department, and therefore that position is now safe and secure.
A decision will be made very shortly—if not this week, next week.
§ Mr. GrimondAs £6 million was spent on this building last year, and as £60 million has been spent on it in recent years, if it is now falling down, is it not time that we appointed a new architect?
§ Mr. PymI am not sure that a fall of masonry at the north end of Westminster Hall could justify such a categorical criticism by the right hon. Gentleman. I have not myself been involved in the architectural or other considerations of the maintenance of this building, but one has only to look at it to appreciate how very expensive it is.