HC Deb 11 December 1991 vol 200 cc460-1W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Lord President of the Council what residential accommodation has been provided in the new buildings in Parliament street; who occupies these; and what has been the cost.

Mr. MacGregor

In accordance with the recommendations of the Services Committee (Third Report 1983–84) five separate units of accommodation have been provided in the phase I building allocated to the Serjeant at Arms, the Deputy Serjeant at Arms, the Speaker's Secretary and two office keepers. There is also overnight accommodation for the Libary and Clerks Department. It is not possible readily to separate the cost of providing this accommodation from the total cost of the project.

The Committee took the decision to use the central section of the building for residential purposes because of its character and limited structural capacity, provided that there was a benefit to Members in terms of accommodation vacated in the Palace. When the work to convert the Serjeants' and the Speaker's Secretary's former residences is completed in the new year the House will have gained a further 32 offices for Members in the Palace.