§ 1. The provision of better facilities for visitors to the Palace of Westminster has been under discussion in the committees of both Houses for well over a year. The principle has long received general support, and the improvement of physical access and facilities for visitors is part of the House Administration's Strategic Plan.
§ 2. Proposals have now been brought forward for the creation of a new reception and security building on the north side of Cromwell Green and to the west of the Jubilee cafeteria. A plan of the proposals, showing the location of the proposed new building, is at Appendix 1. This building is intended to improve visitor access and information and meet the need for enhanced security.
§ 3. Fuller details of the proposals are set out in the Joint Report of the House of Commons Accommodation & Works and Administration Committees, Visitor Facilities: Access to Parliament (HC Paper 324). The conclusions and recommendations of that report are reprinted at Appendix 2. That report was drawn up following work by officials in both Houses, and the draft report was discussed and endorsed by both the Administration and Works Committee and the Information Committee in the Lords.
§ 4. Initial estimates for the costs of this project are in the region of £5 million, of which the Lords' share will be 40 per cent. Subject to approval from the House in principle, more detailed designs and costings will be prepared which will be submitted to the appropriate domestic committees in this House and in the House of Commons.
§ 5. As is noted in the Joint Report, we recognise that there are other facilities for visitors which might be desirable in the longer term, but which cannot immediately be implemented within the limitations of the historic Palace of Westminster and without undue disruption of current users. We consider, however, that we should make progress with these current proposals as the first step towards improving facilities for visitors and enhancing security.
1505§ 6. We draw these proposals to the attention of the House and recommend:
§ that the Joint Report of the House of Commons Accommodation & Works and Administration Committees, Visitor Facilities: Access to Parliament (HC Paper 324), be endorsed; and
§ that the conclusions and recommendations of that Joint Report (reprinted at Appendix 2) be agreed to, subject to approval of final designs and costings by the appropriate domestic committees.
§ 7. It may be helpful for Members to note that the House of Commons debated the Joint Report on 22 April and 11 May, and the report was agreed to on a deferred division on 12 May by 333 votes to 46.