HC Deb 09 November 1992 vol 213 cc618-9
27. Ms. Hoey

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-on-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress is being made towards the establishment of a day nursery in the House.

Mr. Beith

The Commission has asked the Accommodation and Works Select Committee to establish whether accommodation can be found for a creche within the parliamentary estate. The Committee has passed a resolution to instruct the relevant officers of the House to continue their attempts to identify suitable accommodation. There is the further possibility that arrangements could be made in conjunction with Whitehall Departments which are also seeking accommodation in the Westminster area for the same purpose. I understand that some progress has been made in identifying suitable accommodation for such a creche. Their decisions are still at a preliminary stage. Should suitable proposals result from either initiative, they will be put to the relevant Committees and to the Commission.

Ms. Hoey

I thank the right hon. Member for that sympathetic response, but sympathy and scant progress are not enough. This has been going on for a long time. Does the hon. Member agree that the best solution might be for members of the all-party nursery sub-committee to walk around with some of the gentlemen who chair those Committees and look at the proposed accommodation? It does not seem plausible that we cannot find suitable accommodation in the Palace of Westminster to be adapted for this necessary purpose. Is the right hon. Member aware of the rumour that a betting shop would have higher priority than a nursery? If that rumour is true, will he confirm that he would not support that view?

Mr. Beith

There is no basis for that rumour. The one thing that is taking priority in accommodation in the parliamentary estate is accommodation for hon. Members and staff who do not have adequate accommodation at present. The hon. Lady's suggestion that hon. Members who have involved themselves in the issue might make suggestions and proposals to the Accommodation and Works Select Committee would be useful to follow up.