§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked the Chairman of the Committees:
What change in the fire regulations necessitated the extension of the staircase around Lift 13 from the first to the second floor of the House of Lords; when that change to the regulations was made; and what was the original estimate of the cost of the work and the date of completion.
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Boston of Faversham):The improvements to this staircase were recommended by the fire safety authorities to provide improved safety exits in the south east area of the Palace. The scheme, approved by the Administration and Works Sub-Committee on 4th May 1993, has the additional benefit of permitting space in the narrow back stair to he used for storage. The estimate of cost of the work was £28,000 and the date of completion originally December 1996. The operation has been brought forward to form part of the major current contract and consequently will cost less.