HL Deb 01 November 2001 vol 627 cc1517-8

3.31 p.m.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord, Lord Carter, how Her Majesty the Queen's coach will drive into the Sovereign's Tower on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament now that a raised pavement has been constructed at its entrance? Furthermore, can he tell me whether it was necessary to enlarge the pavement beyond the railings, thus preventing extra cars from parking within?

Lord Carter

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Trumpington, for giving me advance notice of the Question. Although it is not a matter for the Government, I am happy to respond.

The next State Opening of Parliament is likely to take place in the autumn of next year. Before then, phase 3 of the restoration of Old Palace Yard will be carried out in the Summer Recess in 2002. This work will see the roadway itself cobbled to match the Peers' car park. That will have the effect of raising the level of the road to that of the raised pavement, thus removing the current apparent block on access to the Sovereign's Entrance. I was also puzzled when I saw the apparent problem and I am extremely pleased to have this answer.

The overall design of the restoration of Old Palace Yard forms part of the "World Heritage Squares for All" project and was approved by your Lordships' House in November 1998. A fundamental part of the concept was to improve the facilities and access to visitors and pedestrians. The restoration, as I have observed before, provides one additional car parking space.

I know that there has been some comment about the design. It may help the House to know that the design and the proposal have the support of the Royal Fine Art Commission, English Heritage, Westminster City Council, the House's Advisory Panel on Works of Art, the House's Administration and Works Sub-Committee and the House itself. There was also consultation with the police, the Traffic Director for London, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Government Office for London, the Royal Parks Agency, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, Westminster Abbey, the Lord Chairman's Office and the Thorney Island Society. All those bodies expressed support for the proposal and the design.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. Of course, if I had realised that he had such a simple reply to my Question, I do not think that I would have asked it. There is a little matter of the cost. I realise that it is not fair to ask him about that at this point. Perhaps he would like to write to me about the cost and put a copy in the Library.

Lord Carter

My Lords, does the noble Baroness mean the cost of the overall project?

Baroness Trumpington

Yes.

Lord Carter

My Lords, from memory, I think that it was £2.25 million.