HL Deb 23 June 2004 vol 662 c134WA
Lord Rotherwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the temperatures in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs offices at Nobel House on 8 June were in line with guidance on optimum working conditions for office employees. [HL3249]

Lord Whitty

In common with a large proportion of offices in the United Kingdom, Nobel House is a naturally ventilated building. On those days when the external temperature rises to become particularly hot the temperature in Nobel House does likewise.

On the 8 June the temperature in London rose to 31 degrees, one of the hottest days of the year so far and considerably above the average for the month.

There is no legal maximum temperature for office buildings: for some days every year it will feel hot inside and out and will be above an optimum comfort level. This is countered with the judicious use of fans; and works currently under way in Nobel House to make the building more open plan will improve the free circulation of air.

Full air conditioning is not favoured because of the negative impact on the environment.