HC Deb 23 July 1984 vol 64 cc710-1
43. Mr. Dormand

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the progress being made in providing additional office accommodation for hon. Members.

Mr. Biffen

The Services Committee has recently made a report to the House, including the design brief for phase 1 of the new parliamentary building. I hope that the report will be published shortly.

Mr. Dormand

Is not it a fact that, after the great fanfare some months ago about improving office accommodation for hon. Members, the work that the right hon. Gentleman has just described is considerably behind schedule? What progress is being made on the principle that the Government adopted some time ago in regard to moving staff from the Palace: to make more accommodation in this building available to hon. Members?

Mr. Biffen

I think that the hon. Gentleman will acquit me of the charge of having issued any fanfare on anything, least of all on anything to do with my responsibilities. I do not believe that it is true that the schedule for this work has fallen behind. My answer today is precisely the same as my answer when the hon. Gentleman last questioned me on this matter — the premises should be available in 1990. The hon. Gentleman asked how much additional accommodation will be made available in the Palace of Westminster with the utilisation of the Bridge street building. The conventions of the House do not enable me to anticipate the report that will be made available in early August, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that about 100 desk spaces will be made available in the Palace of Westminster as a result of the new plans.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Will my right hon. Friend refer to the appropriate authority or committee the idea of buying the Crown Agents building and moving some people who do not have to be here out of the Houses of Parliament so that people who need to be here can have accommodation?

Mr. Biffen

I shall happily look into that matter in the context in which the question was put.

Mr. Bell

Is the Leader of the House aware of the great disappointment among new Members of Parliament at the fact that they are unable to fulfil their parliamentary and constitutional duties because of the lack of available space? Will he bear that aspect in mind when looking at the programme for the future and ensure that that programme does not fall behind?

Mr. Biffen

I expect that all those new Members will be seeking reselection, notwithstanding the hazards to which the hon. Gentleman referred. I must ask the hon. Gentleman to wait and to note the tangible benefits of the development of the Bridge street site, because, frankly, nothing else of comparable value is available on the horizon.

Mr. Budgen

Is there any evidence that hon. Members work better in the House or in their constituencies if they have larger or more comfortable offices?

Mr. Biffen

I believe that there is no evidence whatsoever to support that idea, but that does not diminish the passion that attends these debates.

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