§ Colonel GREIGasked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he would explain why the Departmental Committee on the Ordnance Survey were deprived on 6th February, the date of the opening the Parliament, of their committee room at 31, Abingdon Street, Westminster, overlooking the entrance to the House of Lords, and were relegated to temporary and unsatisfactory accommodation at the Royal Commissioners' House, Old Palace Yard, Westminster; and why the Departmental Committee's room at 31, Abingdon Street, was, on the date above mentioned, occupied by spectators viewing the Royal procession?
Mr. DUDLEY WARDThe removal of the Departmental Committee on the Ordnance Survey from 31, Abingdon Street, had already been contemplated in the interests of economy in connection with a general rearrangement of accommodation for similar purposes in the vicinity, and the Committee were accordingly transferred to Royal Commissions House. Had it been notified to the Office of Works that the Committee desired the use of the rooms in 31, Abingdon Street for viewing the Royal Procession on 6th February, the necessary arrangements would have been made, but it was understood that a Committee would meet for business on that date for the purposes of which the accommodation provided in Royal Commissions House was much more suitable and quiet than 855W that at Abingdon Street. Every effort has been made to obviate inconvenience to the Committee, and as objection has been raised to the Board room and Secretary's room in the Royal Commission House not being on the same floor, the completion of the rearrangement of accommodation has been deferred, and the Committee moved back into 31, Abingdon Street until room can be obtained elsewhere to satisfy this requirement. In reply to the latter part of the question, no official use could be made of the rooms at 31, Abingdon Street on the day referred to.