§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee for how many days in the last six months the water feature in Portcullis House has had no water in it; and if he will make a statement. [10465]
§ Derek ConwayNo record has been kept of the number of days but I recognise that they have been too many.
The contractor has had to carry out a number of tasks during the defects period. After the original contractor for the courtyard stone (which included the water feature) went into liquidation, there was some delay to the work but during the summer the inadequate chemical dosing pumps were replaced and the spread of algae has been stopped. A leak in the tank under the stone table is now awaiting repair. Discussions are taking place with the company that has taken over the business to arrange for all the outstanding snags to be put right under the terms of the contract.