HC Deb 17 November 1986 vol 105 cc307-8
42. Mr. Janner

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the Services Committee last discussed maintenance and restoration work on the Palace of Westminster.

Mr. Biffen

Maintenance and restoration work on the Palace of Westminster are the responsibility of the Property Services Agency. There is regular contact between the relevant Ministers and the authorities of both Houses, including representatives of the Services Committee, on the progress of the work and the allocation of the resources that are available.

Mr. Janner

In view of that regular contact, will the Leader of the House please tell us how long it will be before the work is finished and how much it will cost? Will he please congratulate those responsible so far on the excellence of the work that has been done?

Mr. Biffen

I shall certainly convey to those who are concerned with the work the hon. and learned Gentleman's approbation, and I am sure that the House will concur in that. The exterior of the Palace has been immensely enhanced by that work. I cannot answer the hon. and learned Gentleman's other points, but I shall certainly bear in mind his anxiety that the work should proceed as quickly as possible. However, I must tell him that all these matters are questions of priority and I have been under understandable pressure that the major concern should be the completion of phase one, of extending the accommodation of the House.

Sir Geoffrey Finsberg

Will my right hon. Friend accept that for many years the House has allowed the fabric of this building to fall further and further into disrepair? It was not until my right hon. Friend the Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine) became Secretary of State that proper priority was given to the work to which the hon. arid learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) has just referred. As the junior Minister who had responsibility, I join him in saying how well that work is being done. I hope that funds will be provided to finish the work and that this will be given priority over any extension of offices, because many of us think that that may not be necessary quite so quickly.

Mr. Biffen

I take note of what my hon. Friend has said, but once we begin assessing the comparative urgency of either fabric or offices, there will be a lively debate.

Mr. Boyes

As many of us now face another parliamentary year in the darkness, dampness and dankness of the Cloisters, will the Leader of the House consider restoring some of the offices not used by Members of Parliament to Members of Parliament?

Mr. Biffen

I am very happy to consider whatever detailed points the hon. Gentleman would like to make available to me.

Mr. Nellist

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Pike

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

There are two private notice questions o come and I usually take points of order on Question Time afterwards.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, arising out of questions.

Mr. Speaker

I shall take the private notice questions first.