§ 35. Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed representing the House of Commons Commission, what further plans he has for expenditure on additional Christmas trees in the vicinity of Parliament.
§ Mr. ChannonI have been asked to reply. None.
§ Mr. BanksMerry Christmas, Scrooge. I am very disappointed with that reply.
I am grateful to whoever was responsible for the tasteful tree in Westminster Hall, with its multi-coloured twinkling lights. I must tell the right hon. Gentleman, however, that it is not properly dressed. There is no fairy at the top and there are no balls on it, although the Government have dropped so many this year that the tree could have been covered with them from top to bottom.
We could also have a Santa Claus grotto in Westminster Hall, with the Prime Minister sitting in it saying, "Ho, ho, ho" and handing out peerages, knighthoods and places on quangos to his friends in the City. If we are going to go down the pan in this country, let us at least go down the pan with a bit of fun and in the appropriate festive mood.
§ Mr. ChannonIt is abundantly clear that the hon. Gentleman is in an extremely festive mood. If he has some serious suggestions about where there should be more Christmas trees, naturally I will ask my Committee to consider them.