§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is contemplating any form of sprinkler protection against fire risks in the Palace of Westminster.
§ Mr. ChopeThere is already a system of sprinkler protection in the car park beneath New Palace Yard. There are no proposals to install sprinklers elsewhere.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the average winter temperatures when the House is sitting of the Members' Tea Room, the Strangers' Cafeteria, the Members' Cafeteria, the Harcourt Room, the Members' Dining Room, the Strangers' Dining Room, the Library and the Committee rooms.
§ Mr. ChopeTemperatures are not recorded continuously, so information is not available in the form requested. When the House is sitting, readings are taken at 9 am, 11 am, 2 pm and 7 pm in all the rooms listed except the Committee rooms, where the 7 pm readings are omitted, and the Harcourt Room, where no readings are taken.
During the period 2 November 1987–15 January 1988 the minimum temperature recorded was 58°F and the maximum 75°F. Both readings were taken in Committee rooms.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the average cost of heating for the Palace of Westminster for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. ChopeExpenditure on fuel for the parliamentary estate has been:
£ 1982–83 769,169 1983–84 748,282 1984–85 821,951 1985–86 909,957 1986–87 901,051 It is not possible to identify separately the costs which relate specifically to the Palace of Westminster. Nor is it possible to exclude expenditure on gas for cooking, or electricity for lighting and appliances.