§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the cost for putting the canopy over the Members' entrance in New Palace Yard compares with the original estimate; and who is responsible for supervising and agreeing the contract.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe estimated provision for the sub-contract for the Members' entrance porch, which was included within the main contract for the landscaping work, was £22,000. The sub-contract was let for £14,000 and associated work brings the total estimated cost to £26,830. The responsibility for placing the contract and supervising all of the work in New Palace Yard rests with my Department.
§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what the latest estimate now is for landscaping New Palace Yard; and what are the reasons for the discrepancies between this and the original estimate.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe latest estimate of the total cost of landscaping New Palace Yard is £332,000. The figure of £140,000 to £175,000 given to the House on 27th June 1974 was necessarily a spot estimate based on preliminary sketches and the outline proposals set out in the First Report from the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services), Session 1974.
Details were only later worked out in consultation with the Services Committee. Consequent modifications included widening of roads to improve access for fire engines, ambulances and emergency 554W appliances, and the construction of a new Members' entrance porch. Additional costs have also been caused by delays due to the Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference and some changes in the phasing of the work to suit the convenience of the House.