§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the composition of the carpeting in the Norman Shaw, North and South buildings, St. Stephen's House and the Old Palace Yard, respectively; whether these carpets are regularly treated with anti-static fluid; and what is the most recent date of treatment in each of these buildings and in the Palace of Westminster.
§ Mr. ChopeThe carpet in all the buildings listed is predominantly 80% wool, 20% nylon Wilton, with some specialised areas in 100% polyamide heavy duty low loop pile carpet with static control, or polyamide/polypropylene blended fibre bonded carpet.
The carpets are spray treated with anti-static fluid only on request and no record is kept of when the treatment is applied.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any measure of the levels of static electricity in carpets in the Palace of Westminster; what percentage of carpets in the Palace have been treated with anti-static fluid; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeNo measurements are taken of the levels of static electricity. Nor is the percentage of carpets treated known, as this is carried out only when requested and its effects are relatively short-lived.