'Sniping Against Royal Family’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31128, 3 August 1966, Page 17

'Sniping Against Royal Family’

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, August 2.

A complaint about “sniping against the Royal Family” was heard in Parliament yesterday after it was announced that the Government would defer reconstruction work at the two Royal palaces.

The deferments were for office reconstruction in Stable yard, St. James's Palace, London, which would have cost between £130,000 and £140,000 and the reconstruction and restoration of the roof of apartment nine, Kensington Palace, London, which would have cost about £42,000. Mr William Hamilton (Labour, West Fife) had asked for a standstill. “Why not stop it alttogether?” he said. Mr James Boyden, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, for Works, said that would lead to heavy claims from contractors and delay essential maintenance work. Office Room

Mr Boyden said there was considerable historic significance about St. James’* Palace and its reconstruction would provide much needed office accommodation for the househld staff. Sir Arthur Harvey (Conservative, Macclesfield) said

the Government had seen fit to deter these schemes and yet hundreds of thousands of pounds were being spent on renovating and furnishing houses for ministers. Mr Frederick Harris (Conservative, Croydon North West) said Mr Hamilton had criticised “sniping at bureaucrats.” He called for Mr Boyden’s assistance in stopping Mr Hamilton’s “sniping against the Royal Family.” Mr Boyden said it was a sensible thing to put people into the historic buildings Britain wanted preserved instead of just having the buildings left as museums.

Speck Pleads Not Guilty.— Richard Speck, a 25-year-old seaman, yesterday pleaded not guilty at his arraignment to charges of murdering eight student nurses last month. The case was adjourned to August 18.—Chicago, August 2.