§ Mr. Marlowasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if it is possible to lower the general level of temperature of the central heating in the Palace of Westminster; and whether there are any plans to do so.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI have been asked to reply.
The major part of the Palace of Westminster is heated by an archaic steam radiator system—at present turned off—which can be regulated only by shutting down individual radiators. A six-year modernisation programme, which will eventually include an air-cooling system, was begun last year, and this should allow control of temperature levels throughout the building.