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Ministry Of Works

Volume 483: debated on Tuesday 6 February 1951

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Donnington Castle, Newbury

13.

asked the Minister of Works when he proposes to start the preservation of Donnington Castle, Newbury, so that visitors may gain a proper appreciation of this historic monument.

Donnington Castle has not yet been transferred to my Ministry but negotiations are proceeding. In view of the urgent need to carry out repairs, I have sought the present owners' consent to carry out works before the deed is completed, and I hope that work will begin as soon as this permission is given.

Gas And Electric Fire Guards

14.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is now prepared to approach the trades concerned with a view to ensuring that all portable gas and electric fires are fitted with suitable guards.

My Department is in touch with those concerned. The next step is the publication of British Standard specifications for the guards. I am informed that the British Standards Institution have this in hand.

Knowing the Minister's regard for speedy action, might I ask him please to make use of it in this matter, because parents of young children are concerned about these accident guards?

Can the Minister tell the House whether the proposed guards will eliminate the use of steel, which is urgently wanted for other purposes?

No 2, Park Street

16.

asked the Minister of Works how far the premises at 2, Park Street are exempt from all other statutes and the regulations under the Catering Wages Act, as well as from the provisions of the Licensing Acts.

Except in respect of the sale of intoxicating liquor, which is now undertaken by the Crown, the managing contractors are required to comply with all statutory rules and regulations in force in relation to the running of an hotel.

20.

asked the Minister of Works whether at 2, Park Street, Mayfair, he sells alcoholic liquor to all applicants for consumption on, or off, the premises, and during what hours; and what other entertainments are provided for non-residents.

No. 2, Park Street has always been used for small functions of hospitality—by which I mean lunch or dinner or a reception—given by the Government or Government-sponsored persons, and liquor has been supplied at them. In all other cases, the practice is to sell liquor to residents only. Liquor must be consumed on the premises, and the licensing hours for the district are complied with.

Yes, Sir; certainly not at all hours, but very naturally within the licensing hours, and during the performance of their lunch or dinner, or what-ever it may be.

Clive House (Cost)

17.

asked the Minister of Works what has been the total cost of constructing and equipping Clive House; how far this has exceeded the original estimates; and whether the time taken to erect the building exceeded expectations.

Clive House is leased to my Department at an agreed rent and I cannot give its capital cost. The estimated capital cost of equipping the building as a passport office is £40,000, but the figures of actual cost are not yet available. The building took about six months longer than the original estimate owing partly to the decision to allocate it to the Passport Office who have special requirements.

Houses (Sheet Copper Roofs)

18.

asked the Minister of Works how many houses with sheet copper roofs have been built by his Department in the last 12 months; how many are in course of construction; and whether he consulted the Ministry of Supply before embarking on this method of house construction.

No houses with sheet copper roofs have been built by my Department in the last 12 months, except the four now under construction to which I referred in my reply of 30th January to the hon. Member. These houses were planned over a year ago, and as there were no restrictions on the use of copper at that time, consultation with the Ministry of Supply was then unnecessary.

Why was it that these houses were continued at the time when copper was extremely scarce, in the summer and autumn?

I have explained that already. They were put in hand in the first place because of the desire to save timber, and indeed there was also a saving in the overall cost of the houses. Now they have been continued with the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.

Westminster Hall

19.

asked the Minister of Works whether, and for what reasons, the Lion and the Unicorn are to remain on the steps in Westminster Hall.

The curtain in the southern arch of Westminster Hall will be removed this month when the removal of the scaffolding from St. Stephen's Porch will be begun. The Lion and the Unicorn will be removed at the same time.

Chequers

21.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give consideration to the idea of opening Chequers to the public on specified weekdays this summer during those months in which Parliament may be sitting.

The Trustees of the Chequers Estate, of whom I am one, have considered this suggestion, but have decided not to open Chequers to the public.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer will cause great disappointment to many people in the locality and particularly to the many foreign visitors, of whom it is imagined some may yet come during the course of this summer? Will he look at the matter again?

I cannot promise to do that because it would be misleading. All sorts of complications arise, including the whole question of security, and I am not prepared to recommend that extra money be expended on Chequers.

Would it not be better to leave the matter over for a short time, in view of the impending change of tenancy?

Parliament Square

22.

asked the Minister of Works what is the purpose of the concrete wall now being erected round Parliament Square; and why the statues are being erected so that pedestrians can only see the backs.

The dwarf walls and kerbs which are being erected in Parliament Square are not concrete, but Portland Stone. They are required because of varying levels in the scheme approved by Parliament in 1949. The statues have also been erected in accordance with this scheme, to face the broad paved walk in the new central garden and to face the Houses of Parliament.