HC Deb 19 January 1987 vol 108 cc596-7
33. Mr. Dormand

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

Mr. Biffen

Work has now begun on the redevelopment of the area between Parliament Street and Cannon Row, and this scheme is still on schedule for completion in 1990. In addition, as hon. Members will have noticed, the writing rooms above the Division Lobbies were converted into Members' offices during the last summer recess.

Mr. Dormand

Is the Lord Privy Seal confirming that the first phase is likely to be completed by its target date? Secondly, what progress is being made on the second phase? How many additional offices have been made available to hon. Members within the Palace of Westminster during the past 12 months?

Mr. Biffen

On the third point, I cannot be absolutely certain that I have noticed how many offices have been made available, but that will be covered by the reference to the Members' offices that were converted from the rooms above the Division Lobbies. As to the first question, I can confirm that what is popularly known as phase 1 is on schedule for completion in 1990, but at the moment I have nothing further to report on phase 2 beyond what was last said.

Mr. Stokes

Is there any correlation between the size of a Member's office and his contribution here?

Mr. Biffen

Absolutely none. Were there to be such a correlation it would be an invidious task for those operating through the usual channels to have to allocate the offices.

Mr. Soley

Will the right hon. Gentleman also accept that all Ministers would have to abandon their offices if he were to follow the guidance of the hon. Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge (Mr. Stokes)?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the increasing concern among a growing number of hon. Members on both sides of the House about the inadequacy of offices for Members, personal assistants and secretaries, which has been partly brought about by the changing nature of the job? Should not the aim be to enable Members of Parliament to have proper secretarial facilities close to the office in which they work, not about half a mile away, as happens in some cases, so that we can do our job more efficiently?

Mr. Biffen

The hon. Gentleman would argue himself into some difficulties if he asserted that Members had to have accommodation close by their secretaries. Many Members want the repossession of the Palace of Westminster by Members, which would mean that research assistants and the rest would be housed elsewhere. That kind of dilemma will make this a highly topical and contentious issue long after we are drenched with accommodation.