Members' Lobby (Chandeliers)
7.
asked the Minister of Works if he will consider installing in the Members' Lobby the five brass chandeliers, originally in Sir Christopher Wren's 18th Century House of Commons and acquired by his Department in 1946, in place of the five existing fluorescent lights.
The chandeliers which are believed to have hung in the temporary House of Commons fitted up after the tire of 1834 cannot be adapted for the fluorescent lighting used in the Members' Lobby. I propose to hang three of the chandeliers on the staircase leading from the Lower to the Upper Waiting Halls. One is already temporarily in suspension.
Everyone in the House appreciates the interest the Minister takes in these questions and the action which he is already thinking of taking in regard to these chandeliers, but does he not realise that at the moment the fluorescent lights in the Members' Lobby are so bright that there cannot be more than two on at a time, and would it not be worth while considering putting in the more old-fashioned types of lighting instead?
No, that is not the case. The reason only two are lighted is in the interests of fuel economy. I know that there is criticism of the fluorescent lights, but it would be quite impracticable to change them to the old candelabra; they just would not work at all. If the fluorescent lighting were changed, it would cost a very considerable sum of money, and it would have to be reviewed.
Apart from the practical consideration of saving fuel, is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no great difference between neo-Gothic fluorescent lighting and electrically equipped 17th Century chandeliers?
My hon. Friend had better try that one on the architect.
Is the right hon. Gentleman still absolutely convinced that it is pleasant to sit under this beastly fluorescent lighting? Would not something in the nature of chandeliers be very much more easy on the eye?
That really has nothing to do with this Question. Before the new Chamber was opened, I had the lights completely changed round so as to improve the colour, and I think we had much better endure this a little longer and see how we get on.
Electricity Consumption
8.
asked the Minister of Works the number of units of electricity consumed in the Palace of Westminster during the two weeks ended 3rd February.
Information on electricity consumption at the Palace of Westminster is only available for periods of a month. No information for February is yet available. The consumption for the month ending 27th January, 1951, was 141,274 units.
Do I understand from that reply that nobody is capable of reading a meter in this building?
No, Sir. The routine arrangement is that the meter is read once a month.
Why could not they do it once a fortnight? I want to know what is consumed when we are sitting.
It is quite absurd to suggest that we should alter the routine every time a Question is asked.
It is a matter of two minutes' work.
Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that less electricity might be consumed if the windows were cleaner?
Westminster Hall
10.
asked the Minister of Works if he will arrange to leave the Lion and the Unicorn statues in the Westminster Hall in their present position.
No, Sir. As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Enfield, West (Mr. lain MacLeod), on 6th February, it is proposed to remove the Lion and the Unicorn this month when the curtain in Westminster Hall is taken down.
What is to take the place of the present statues?
The Stone of Scone.
Nothing. The figures were made for a particular celebration, and they are not of a durable character. If it were desired to put up durable statues, they would have to be in stone and would take some time to make.
Will the Minister consider replacing them with permanent stone figures?
Yes, if there were really considerable feeling in favour of it.
Festival Of Britain (Exhibition)
12.
asked the Minister of Works what steps are being taken to make known to the people who will visit the Festival, particularly those from abroad, the principles of our Parliamentary institutions, by the display of models and the sale of literature in or near the Palace of Westminster.
As announced by you, Sir, on 21st November, 1950, an exhibition describing the history and functions of Parliament is to be held in the Grand Committee Room during the Summer Recess. Arrangements for the sale of literature throughout the period of the Festival are under consideration.
Is the Minister satisfied that the exhibition in the Grand Committee Room will meet the requirements of the large number of people who are coming to this country and who will take an interest in our Parliamentary institutions?
Yes, I think so. It is the best we can do, anyway. The alternative was Westminster Hall, which I resisted because I think it desirable that Westminster Hall should be kept empty.
Is the Minister considering establishing a literature stall so that people can buy literature dealing with our Parliamentary institutions?
I thought I made that clear in my reply. That is under consideration. It is a question of making detailed arrangements.