§ Mrs. GordonTo ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on opening the Line of Route during the summer adjournment. [69171]
§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on proposals to open the Palace of Westminster to visitors on Saturdays, Sundays and during periodic adjournments; and what plans there are to charge such visitors. [68598]
§ Mr. KirkwoodThe Commission has approved in principle the re-opening of the Line of Route during the Summer Recess. The need to comply with EU procedures in letting contracts makes it impossible, however, to achieve the re-opening earlier than the summer of 2000.
On the advice of the Administration Committee, the Finance and Services Committee will look at the viability of a project prepared by a firm of outside consultants on how the Line of Route re-opening is to be managed. It will report its conclusions to the House of Commons Commission.
In respect of the specific matter of charging visitors who wish to use the Line of Route, the Commission has taken the view that this is a matter which the House itself should decide. A motion will be put before the House in due course.