§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Lord President of the Council what examinations or analyses are currently being undertaken into Members' facilities, salaries and allowances; and by whom.
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§ Mr. MacGregorAs the hon. Member knows, a Select Committee of the House is currently looking into the hours of sittings of the House, and the Top Salaries Review Body is currently reviewing the office costs allowance.
Noteworthy studies into the improvement of facilities for Members include preliminary planning for Phase 2 of the new parliamentary building by Michael Hopkins and Partners; an examination of the feasibility of converting the St. Stephen's Tavern premises for use by groups of Members' guests by Touche Ross and Co. and PSA Projects; a preliminary brief for the conversion in 1992 of the Members' and Strangers' Cafeterias for use by Members and their guests by Alex Gordon Partnerships; a study of further measures to facilitate access to and in the House for disabled Members and the public; an investigation into the cost and feasibility of introducing a broad band cable network to the House, which has been commissioned by the Parliamentary Works Office. It is also understood that the Director of Works on behalf of both Houses is arranging for consultants to conduct an examination of the cleaning arrangements for the Palace.