§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is the current situation with regard to the development of the phase 2 new parliamentary building; what is the programme for demolition of the site; when the building is expected to be ready for occupation; and what steps are being taken to keep the House informed about progress on this project.
§ Mr. Ray PowellOn 2 February, following the Government's agreement that the Jubilee line should proceed, the House handed over to London Underground Ltd. the site on which the phase 2 building is to be constructed. Preliminary work on the site has begun and demolition work in preparation for the construction of the new underground station at Westminster will commence in a few weeks.
A legal agreement has been signed between the House and London Underground under the terms of which the site is due to be handed back to the authorities of the House in February 1997 to allow construction of the new building to proceed. Detailed design work is progressing and contracts for the first of the prefabricated sections will be placed later in the year.
The Accommodation and Works Committee is maintaining a close interest in the project and will receive monthly reports on its progress. At the earliest appropriate moment a further report will be made to the House.
Arrangements are being made for an exhibition to be mounted shortly after Easter to advise Members on the work planned for Westminster station and its consequences for the House. In due course a further exhibition on the new parliamentary building will be arranged.