Tories slate plans for Commons' nursery

During a parliamentary debate, Conservative MPs branded the move to convert Bellamy's Bar a waste of money.

They claim it could cost around £400,000 to transform the bar, which had benefited from a £480,000 refurbishment just three years ago.

Edward Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough and chair of Public Accounts Committee, said: "We have to consider whether it represents value for money to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on equipping facilities for the staff just in order to strip them out."

Other Conservatives to criticise the move included Christchurch MP Christopher Chope, who called it a "reckless waste of taxpayers' money".

The decision to convert the bar into a nursery was made last December. Among those to support the plans is the speaker John Bercow.

Another is Labour MP for Ayrshire North Katy Clark, who said it would benefit staff and MPs alike.