§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of measures taken to counter the terrorist threat to Government buildings in Westminster and Parliament. [10244]
§ Mr. BlunkettProtective security arrangements are the responsibility of the Secretary of State in each respective Department. Security measures in all Government Departments are kept under regular review to ensure that they provide adequate protection against the range of threats faced by Government Departments and buildings, including that from terrorism.
In the Palace of Westminster, Black Rod and the Sergeant at Arms have recently met and on behalf of both Houses are actively considering a number of issues with a view to improving security at the Palace and its ancillary buildings.
More generally, under the Civil Contingencies Committee which I chair, a sub-committee chaired by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, is reviewing the contingency arrangements for the key infrastructure of the United Kingdom. This includes the key structures associated with the parliamentary process.
In light of the current situation these measures will remain under close scrutiny.