§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the public inspection rooms at St. Catherine's house, Kingsway; and whether he has any proposals to improve them, including the provision of refreshment and other facilities.
§ Mr. FreemanWe have received no representations during recent months concerning the public search room at St. Catherine's house. At the end of 1989 the Registrar-General published the findings of a survey of users of the facilities provided, entitled "Attitudes to the158W Public Search Room" and we have now placed a copy in the Library. The survey revealed that a number of improvements were suggested by visitors, but more than three quarters of those responding expressed general satisfaction with the service and facilities provided.
The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, which is responsible for the public search room, is seeking new premises in central London in anticipation of the expiry of the lease of St. Catherine's house later this decade. The views expressed by regular visitors will be taken into account in the quest for new premises but I regret that it is not possible to provide refreshment facilities at St. Catherine's house.