§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is with their approval that the Royal Parks Agency has closed the Mall for three month; [HL1027]
Whether the Royal Parks Agency (RPA) consulted (a) the Palace of Westminster authorities and (b) Westminster City Council over the closure of the Mall for three months and the consequent congestion in Whitehall and Parliament Square; and whether the RPA is to reimburse the relevant police authorities for the extra work involved in dealing with the disturbance to normal traffic, or the bus companies whose schedules are being disrupted; and [HL1028]
Whether the closure of the Mall was professionally planned by an outside agency; if so, by whom; and at what cost. [HL1029]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyProgramming of works within the Royal Parks is an operational matter for the Royal Parks Agency (RPA); the approval of Ministers for the closure of the Mall was not required.
In planning the works on the Mall, which involve resurfacing the road and carrying out safety improvements at accident blackspots, the RPA consulted Westminster City Council, as the local highway authority, and the Metropolitan Police. In accordance with their advice, the RPA has sought to concentrate works in the shortest period in order to minimise disruption to traffic, and this requires total closure for three weeks. The Palace of Westminster authorities were not consulted. No payments are made to police authorities or bus companies for traffic disruption arising from essential roadworks.
Tarmac Services are the agency's works management contractor and professional advisors, appointed to carry out maintenance works to the hard fabric of the Royal Parks. For the Mall roadworks, Tarmac appointed Peter Brett Associates as specialist traffic management consultants. Their fees are estimated at £49, 000.
§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there are any Buddhists or Hindus amongst the civil servants reporting to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. [HL948]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe deparment does not record the number of Buddhists or Hindus among its staff.