§ Mr. Ray PowellTo ask the Lord President of the Council how many Members' offices in the new parliamentary building, phase 1, will contain marble fireplaces; and whether provision of such fireplaces has affected the timetable for completion of phase 1.
§ Mr. ChopeI have been asked to reply.
The hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) and his colleagues on the New Building Sub-Committee can be assured that there is no basis for the allegations made by 296W the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 17 May at column 1020. There are no fireplaces in the new Members' offices and those in the restored accommodation are either already in place or are off site being restored. This work is not on the critical path and is not expected to cause problems.