§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what is the current estimated cost of the new phase 2 Parliamentary Building. [41175]
§ Mr. ChannonThe approved estimate for the new Parliamentary Building is £154 million at 1992 prices, plus any increases in building prices which occur before the contracts are completed in 1999. There are no indices to cover this period so the final cost could be only speculative at this stage.
§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how many(a) hon. Members and (b) others he estimates will be accommodated in the new Parliamentary Building phase 2 indicating an upper and lower projection. [41174]
§ Mr. Ray PowellThe new Parliamentary Building will provide offices for at least 210 hon. Members. It will also accommodate an equivalent number of Members' support staff, but the building has been designed flexibly so that Members can, subject to the rules then current, accommodate more staff in either their own or their support offices if they wish.