HC Deb 26 July 1982 vol 28 cc741-2
29. Mr. Foulkes

asked the Lord President of the Council when he expects to receive the report of the sub-Committee considering the provision of additional accommodation for hon. Members on the Bridge Street site.

32. Mr. Chapman

asked the Lord President of the Council when he expects the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee of the Services Committee to complete its consideration of the possibility of securing the assistance of private funds in the implementation of the Casson report relating to the Bridge Street site.

Mr. Biffen

The Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee reported informally to the Services Committee last week. In the light of this report, the Services Committee is of the opinion that the premises fronting on Parliament Street between Derby Gate and Bridge Street, to the west of Cannon Row, should be restored without delay for parliamentary use. It has asked the Sub-Committee to explore means of developing the remainder of the Bridge Street site in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of Parliament and to report as soon as practicable.

Mr. Foulkes

Has the Lord President of the Council noticed that Conservative hon. Members are prepared to tell workers in the pits and on the railways to modernise their working practices, but do not appear to be willing to do anything about the working practices in this building? Is he aware that secretaries and Members are working in appalling conditions and that some of us, unlike Conservative hon. Members, do not have private offices in the City or elsewhere? Will the Lord President assure us that this welcome report will be accepted by the Government and that action will be taken to give Members some decent conditions so that we can provide a good service to our constituents and can scrutinise legislation properly?

Mr. Biffen

The recommendation of the Sub-Committee will now go to the Department of the Environment, so that it will buttress the Department in its discussions with the Treasury in determining the PESC allowance.

Mr. Chapman

Since successive Governments have always managed, for good or ill, to frustrate development proposals for the Bridge Street site, does the Lord President agree that the best way ahead is to invite private investment for a mixed use development of the site, with a lease-back arrangement for extra accommodation? The House can decide nearer the time whether that accommodation should be made available to it.

Mr. Biffen

My hon. Friend overlooks the fact that the future use of the Bridge Street site has never excited unanimous judgment in the Chamber. As regards private capital, my hon. Friend will have noticed in my main answer that that is one of the options now being considered.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the beginning of this Parliament the Bridge Street site development was to have gone ahead but was stopped for reasons of economy? Since then the Government have decided to build a new conference centre on the old Colonial Office site in Parliament Square. Have the Government got their priorities right?

Mr. Biffen

Clearly there is more than one view on whether the priorities are properly adjudged. My answer shows that the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee has reported to the Services Committee on early action for bringing into full parliamentary use the area that is fronted between Derby Gate and Bridge Street to the west of Cannon Row. Surely that is a development to be applauded by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Sheerman

Is the Leader of the House expecting unanimity in the House before anything is done about accomodation and conditions? If so, is he aware that most of us will be filled with utter dismay about the future? Will the right hon. Gentleman be a little more positive, rather than waiting for unanimity in the House?

Mr. Biffen

No, Sir. I should have thought that the measured caution of the House demonstrates the House at its best.

30. Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will make arrangements to commission a painting or photograph of the present Chamber and Membership of the House.

Mr. Biffen

I would be prepared to ask the Services Committee or the Works of Art Committee to consider this proposal, if it became evident that there was widespread support for it in the House.

Mr. Atkins

I thank my right hon. Friend for his constructive answer. Is he aware that it is some time since a photograph or painting of this Chamber and its Membership was commissioned? Bearing in mind that such a commission was exercised in another place recently, does my right hon. Friend agree that it is about time that we authorised such a commission in this Chamber as a matter of urgency?

Mr. Biffen

I can think of more pressing reforms. I have set only two modest hoops that have to be circumvented to set such a proposal in motion.

Mr. Winnick

Bearing in mind the majority of the hon. Member for Preston, North (Mr. Atkins), should not the Leader of the House have some sympathy with him, because the hon. Gentleman will one day want to prove to his grandchildren that he actually sat in the House?

Mr. Biffen

Since a Tory was the immediate predecessor of the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick), I have every confidence that my hon. Friend will long outlast him.