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The Chairman of Committees: My Lords, it is true that early last year there was difficulty in accessing the oxygen supply. That has now been dealt with. But one must be clear that the administration of oxygen is not a simple, straightforward matter. Regular training is now given in the use of the medical equipment here. As I said, the defibrillators are outside the Chamber. Regrettably, there was an occasion when Lord Shore of Stepney collapsed in the Chamber, and the Doorkeepers administered the defibrillators to very good effect. Sadly, of course, Lord Shore died later in hospital. But we are convinced that that equipment is working well.
Lord Marsh: My Lords, we are all conscious of the fact that the Parliamentary Estate is not covered by the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act. Given the large number of people who are in this building at almost any given time, why cannot the estate have cover by analogy with such outside legislation?
The Chairman of Committees: My Lords, I am not sure that I know the answer to that. However, as I said, it is our belief that we are extremely well covered in relation to emergencies. Perhaps I may take the opportunity of welcoming the noble Lord, Lord Marsh, back to his place after his serious operation.
Lord Taylor of Blackburn: My Lords, does the Chairman of Committees agree that, instead of the nurse being employed until 10 o'clock, it would be far better if the House rose at 7 o'clock, thus dealing with the problem the other way round?
The Chairman of Committees: My Lords, I am sure that the nurse would be pleased to have an early evening. However, I do not believe that that is a matter for this debate; it is a matter for the report of the Leader of the House on the workings of the House.
Baroness Gardner of Parkes: My Lords, will the noble Lord explain his remark about oxygen being difficult to administer? All dentists are obliged to make oxygen available in their surgeries. Even the most untrained person is expected to be able to use it. I am able to quote instances when lives have been saved through oxygen being available to people who have suffered heart attacks. Can the noble Lord explain why he considers oxygen to be difficult to use? In addition, is he willing to have oxygen available in the same location as the defibrillators, if that is not already the case? In that way, both would be available at the same source and people would know exactly where to go for them.
The Chairman of Committees: My Lords, oxygen is available. I am saying only that I believe that it can be a little dangerous when handled by the untrained, or so I am informed. The noble Baroness looks at me sceptically, but what is new? That is my understanding, although I may be wrong. I have no medical training, but people other than the Doorkeepers are usually available. The Doorkeepers are now properly trained and oxygen is available. I simply suggest that ordinary Members of the House should not rush to the oxygen bottle and try to administer it because they might do more harm than good.
Baroness Masham of Ilton: My Lords, is the Chairman of Committees aware that the nurses' hours were cut by changing their finishing time from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m.? What was the reason for that? Is he aware that some people must be monitored for certain conditions and that, if the nursing service were available, that would prevent emergencies arising?
The Chairman of Committees: My Lords, I do not know why that change was made. However, I understand that a system is to be introduced whereby the nurses overlap and that someone will be on duty until 10 o'clock in the evening. I am not sure when that arrangement will begin, but that is my understanding.
Viscount Simon: My Lords, further to the observations and questions of the noble Baroness, Lady Gardner of Parkes, I know for a fact that the Chairman of Committees is aware that from time to time I have to use oxygen and that it is readily available. It is provided by the health workers in the Houses of Parliament. But is he aware that the bottle to which I have access needs to be replaced and that the occupational health workers are being very obstructive in replacing it?
The Chairman of Committees: My Lords, I am not sure whether my noble friend said "obstructive" or "constructive".
The Chairman of Committees: My Lords, I was not aware of that. If that is the case, I shall look into the matter and ensure that the obstruction is removed.
Vauxhall Cross
3.16 p.m.
Baroness Trumpington asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What their reaction is to traffic conditions at Vauxhall Cross and the junction of Vauxhall Bridge and Millbank.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, that is a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London.
Baroness Trumpington: My Lords, I cannot possibly thank the Minister for that reply. Does he realise the spin-off effect on other bridges caused by the chaos at Vauxhall Cross? Can he explain to me why huge pavements have been built at the corners of Vauxhall Bridge north side? Are they there to accommodate vast crowds applauding Ken Livingstone as he queues in his car for the lights to turn green?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, I do not know. To be honest, I believe that time for Starred Questions in this House is scarce and valuable. Perhaps I may suggest most humbly to the noble Baroness, Lady Trumpington, whom I admire and respect, that as far as possible we should restrict our Questions to matters for which Ministers have responsibility. David Jamieson, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Transport, wrote to the noble Baroness, Lady Trumpington, in response to an earlier undertaking by my noble and learned friend Lord Falconer. Clearly we try to be as helpful as we can on these matters. There is nothing out of order in asking a Question for which Ministers have no responsibility. However, does the House not agree that it would be better if, as far as possible, we concentrated on matters for which Ministers have responsibility?
Viscount Astor: My Lords, does the Minister agree that the Question was in order because it was accepted and that he has a responsibility to answer Questions from the Front Bench as best he can? Indeed, the problem at Vauxhall Cross is caused by the Mayor changing the timing of the lights. Will he condemn those changes and answer the Question that he
avoided answering last week? Perhaps I may suggest that the reason he should answer it is that significant road safety considerations are now at issue. The Government have a road safety programme, and, unfortunately, at Vauxhall Cross motorists are jumping the lights because they do not change in time. Serious accidents will occur and the Government should address that.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, I said in response to the noble Baroness, Lady Trumpington, that the Question was in order. However, in so far as there is ministerial responsibility, the noble Viscount, Lord Astor, is right to say that there is a ministerial responsibility for road safety.
There are two elements to what has happened at Vauxhall Cross. The first is the rejigging of the road pattern, and I understand that safety elements are involved in that. The other is a cycle and pedestrian scheme, which is very directly connected with road safety because it follows a fatality which occurred a few years ago. That cycle and pedestrian scheme was completed on 16th June. However, the noble Viscount is right to say that there are safety elements to the work at Vauxhall Cross.
Lord Campbell of Alloway: My Lords, does the Minister agree that if the Mayor had discharged his traffic responsibilities with even a modicum of diligence there would be no need for my noble friend the ask the Question? Where else can she ask it?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, the responsibilities of the Mayor are to his electorate and to the Greater London Assembly. Members of the Greater London Assembly have full opportunity to question the Mayor and to disagree with him about any of these matters. The same is true of any local authority in this country. On the whole, we do not answer Questions about matters which are the responsibility of individual local authorities.
Lord Elton: My Lords, is the Minister aware that there is a parliamentary dimension to this issue for anyone who lives on the south side of the river, such as my noble friend Lady Trumpington and me? It was reported on the radio two or three times last month alone that the estimated delay in crossing Vauxhall Bridge was over one hour. That feeds across to other bridges. From time to time south London is isolated from north London and also from the centre of government as a result of those policies. That must be of interest to the Government.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, I am keenly aware of the extent of ministerial responsibility for transport in London. That is why I sought to answer the question raised by the noble Viscount, Lord Astor. However, questions of congestion in Greater London
are strictly a matter for the Mayor and for Transport for London. I do not believe there is anything useful I can add.
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