§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Lord President of the Council what investigations have been carried out to try to identify extra office accommodation for hon. Members pending the completion of the new office buildings.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe results of a comprehensive space audit of the parliamentary estate will be presented to the574W Services Committee shortly. They are expected to confirm that there is little scope for providing extra accommodation for Members prior to the opening of phase I of the new parliamentary building later this year. About 100 extra Members' offices will be provided at that time. Planning is under way for phase 2 of the project, with a view to achieving the Services Committee's objective that by the time the new building is complete,
every Member who wants a room of his or her own should have one".In addition, urgent consideration is being given to the possibility of acquiring alternative accommodation within a reasonable distance of the Chamber for Members and staff currently occupying buildings, such as St. Stephen's house, which it is proposed to redevelop as part of phase 2. The Services Committee expects to report to the House on these matters shortly.