§ Lord Lairdasked the Chairman of Committees:
What was the cost and quality control process used in the selection of replacement stone for the work currently under way on the Palace of Westminster. [HL4554]
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara)The replacement stone being used in the current programme of restoration of internal courtyards within the Palace is an oolitic limestone from Clipsham in Rutland. It is supplied at a cost of £17 per cubic foot (excluding VAT). Quality control is carried out by a chartered surveyor from the project management consultants, who is on site whenever necessary (generally some two and a half days a week).