§ Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Works how much the new carpeting of Parliament has cost; and what was the response of the women Members of Parliament to his proposal to recurtain their Terrace sitting room.
§ Lord John HopeThe new carpet on the floor of the House of Commons Chamber cost £780 and replaces the carpet laid in 1950. Other new carpeting provided within the Palace of Westminster during the Christmas Recess has cost £393. All these were necessary replacements of worn carpeting. Some 350,000 visitors each year go through the Chamber in addition to the normal wear and tear by Members and officials of the House.
I am grateful to the women Members for their offer to postpone the recurtaining of their Terrace sitting room which I had proposed.