§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will make a statement on the risk of legionnaire's disease in the parliamentary estate. [7485]
§ Mr. Michael J. MartinI have been asked to reply.
The water systems throughout the parliamentary estate are regularly tested for the legionnella bacterium as part of routine maintenance work. This work also includes sterilisation of cooling towers and shower heads, and keeping the domestic hot water temperatures above the tolerance of the bacterium. The results of recent routine tests showed slightly raised levels which have been dealt with by pasteurisation and chemical sterilisation. It is also proposed to make minor changes to plumbing in remote areas to help maintain safe water temperatures.