§ Mrs. DeanTo ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on monitoring the progress of the Portcullis House project. [70000]
§ Mr. KirkwoodThe Commission has authorised a mid-term review of progress on Portcullis House.
The objective of the review, which is part of a continuing programme of supervision of the project, will be to satisfy the Commission that the new parliamentary building can be delivered, to the desired quality, on budget and within the agreed timetable.
The hon. Lady will be aware that in approving the principle of the new building, the House itself was well aware of the important heritage implications of what will be a major parliamentary development on an internationally important site. While the Commission recognises that Portcullis House needs to be a building of the first architectural quality, it has also been concerned throughout with the need to keep costs in control.
The review, to be conducted by Northcroft, will analyse cost movements to date and include an independent risk appraisal of outturn costs. It will also provide an opportunity to examine organisational structure and procedures used during the project.