HC Deb 19 December 1983 vol 51 cc13-4
29. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will initiate the establishment of a Select Committee on Houses of Parliament Accommodation.

32. Mr. Dubs

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will review all accommodation within those parts of the Palace of Westminster allocated to the House of Commons to see how much can be made available to hon. Members.

The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Biffen)

Following the debate on 22 November, the Services Committee has appointed a New Building Sub-Committee. It will be part of its orders of reference to consider the future use of accommodation in the palace.

Mr. Hamilton

I appreciate that, but will the Leader of the House take the trouble to re-read the Stokes report, produced as long ago as 1953, which compared the amount of accommodation used in this building by the House of Commons with that used by the House of Lords? Does not the other place occupy about a third of the total accommodation that is available in the building, and is that not out of proportion to its work load and active membership? Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that there are more than 20 private residences in the building, and that the Lord Chancellor's Department is still here, having increased its rooms from 23 in 1946 to 36 in 1953? How many rooms does the Lord Chancellor's Department occupy now? Will he give the Lord Chancellor's Department notice of eviction?

Mr. Biffen

I shall, of course, acquaint myself with the Stokes report. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that under an arrangement dating from 1965 the area of the House of Commons is the responsibility of Mr. Speaker on behalf of the House, and control of the accommodation occupied by the House of Lords is the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor.

Mr. Hamilton

That is the trouble.

Mr. Dubs

Will the Leader of the House say whether the Sub-Committee, to which he referred, is looking at all the accommodation in the Palace of Westminster or only at that which comes within the scope of the House of Commons? If the latter, on what basis could we challenge the allocation of space between the two Houses?

Mr. Biffen

The Accommodation Administration Committee and the Sub-Committee to which 1 referred have responsibilities regarding accommodation within the House of Commons, and that derives from the 1965 arrangements. I cannot immediately tell the hon. Gentleman how the 1965 arrangements may be challenged, but I am certain that opportunities within Parliament allow for them to be debated.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

Can the right hon. Gentleman imagine why hon. Members should want any more accommodation?

Mr. Biffen

The appetite comes with eating.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that in a democracy we need two Chambers, and that if we want to hear decent voices from the Opposition we are more likely to hear them in the other place?

Mr. Biffen

Tempted as I am to elaborate on that observation, I think that it falls a little wide of the original question.

Mr. Dormand

Will the Leader of the House confirm that the present proposals to improve accommodation are progressing satisfactorily?

Mr. Biffen

If the hon. Gentleman is referring lo the development of the first phase, yes, that is my understanding.

Mr. Tim Smith

May we know the extent of the problem? How many rooms are currently available for the 650 Members of the House of Commons?

Mr. Biffen

Every hon. Member has a desk space.