§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked the Chairman of Committees:
What are the conditions and the cost of the lease for the 80 new desks in Little College Street and the 100 new desks in Millbank House. [HL3100]
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Boston of Faversham)The lease for 7 Little College Street and Millbank House will run until 2015. The annual rent is £33.50 per square foot and there will be a 12-month rent free period from the date of occupation. In addition to the new accommodation for Members, staff of the House will also move into Millbank House, making further office space available for Members in the Palace and 1 The Abbey Garden.
9WA
§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked the Chairman of Committees:
How it is intended to allocate the new desks in Little College Street and Millbank House; and what criteria will be applied. [HL3101]
§ The Chairman of CommitteesThe new office accommodation will be distributed between the parties and the Cross Benches by the Administration and Works Sub-Committee, following a recommendation by the Accommodation Steering Group. Desks will be allocated to Members by the relevant party or the Convenor of the Cross-Bench Peers. The criteria are a matter for the party or the Convenor of the Cross-Bench Peers.
§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked the Chairman of Committees:
Whether those Peers who move to the new desks in Little College Street and Millbank House will receive the same level of service from attendants and other staff as is enjoyed by Peers in the main building. [HL3102]
§ The Chairman of CommitteesThe need to provide appropriate services for Members in 7 Little College Street and Millbank House has been a key factor in the planning for the moves which will take place between December 2000 and August 2001. This planning has been complemented by a recent review of the role of the Attendants, which took account of the introduction of the revised postal system. From December 2000, when the first tranche of offices will be occupied, a comprehensive Attendant service will be provided from 8.00am until 6.00pm. As in the main building, Members will be able to have their mail delivered to their own desks held in the Mail Room off Peers' Lobby or forwarded. Security staff will be on duty in Millbank House until an hour after the rising of the House. These arrangements were agreed by the Administration and Works Sub-Committee on 4 July and can, of course, be reviewed in the light of experience. In addition, there will be a library and (from August 2001) a conference room and a refreshment facility.