HC Deb 31 March 2004 vol 419 cc1490-1W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what(a) renovation and (b) maintenance projects on the parliamentary estate were undertaken in each of the last five years; and what the associated costs were of each. [163952]

Sir Archy Kirkwood

It is not possible to make a useful distinction between renovation and maintenance, as many projects contain elements of both, and some involve new works as well. The projects undertaken on the Parliamentary Estate in each of the last five years are listed as follows:

1999–2000

  • rationalisation of water services;
  • repairs to river wall: Speaker's Steps;
  • New Palace Yard perimeter wall restoration;
  • lift machinery renewal;
  • electrical equipment renewal;
  • overhaul Central Lobby chandelier;
  • oil painting conservation;
  • asbestos removal from plant rooms;
  • stone cleaning—Picture Corridor South;
  • restoration of grained ceilings;
  • restoration of Committee Room 10 and installation of air conditioning;
  • Smoking Room conservation

2000–01

  • Crypt Chapel ceiling conservation;
  • repairs to river wall;
  • Royal Court stone restoration;
  • stone cleaning—Picture Corridor North;
  • various roof repairs;
  • asbestos removal from plant rooms;
  • oils, prints, watercolours and statues conservation;
  • rationalisation of water services;
  • various roof repairs;
  • lift machinery renewal;
  • stone cleaning—Picture Corridor East;
  • underground car park escalator machinery renewal;
  • restoration of Committee Rooms 4, 5 and 6 and installation of air conditioning;
  • Old Palace Yard restoration Phase I;
  • restoration of Committee Rooms 1, 2 and 3 and installation of air conditioning;
  • major refurbishment of Norman Shaw South building;
  • St. Stephen's Tower: refurbishment of offices;
  • Commons Court: refurbishment of offices;
  • Old Palace Yard restoration Phase II.

2002–03

  • various roof repairs;
  • stone restoration: Commons Court and Commons Inner Court;
  • lift machinery renewal;
  • pinnacle repairs: Palace of Westminster;
  • Palace boiler and chiller plant modernisation;
  • Palace basement plant room modernisation and asbestos removal;
  • restoration of Speaker's Green;
  • restoration of Committee Rooms 7, 8, and 9 and installation of air conditioning;
  • Old Palace Yard restoration Phase III;
  • major refurbishment of Norman Shaw South building;
  • Plaid Cymru and SNP offices: modernisation.

2003–04

  • Palace boiler and chiller plant modernisation;
  • roof and gutters repair: Westminster Hall;
  • various roof repairs: Palace of Westminster;
  • stone restoration: Commons Court and Commons Inner Courts;
  • modernisation of basement plant rooms and asbestos removal;
  • encaustic tile restoration: St. Stephens Hall;
  • bronze window repairs;
  • restoration of Committee Rooms 15 and 16 and installation of air conditioning;
  • restoration of Speaker's Green.

The costs of individual projects are difficult to assign annually, as many extend over several financial years. Over the last five years, the average annual cost, in cash terms, to the House of Commons of new works, renovation and maintenance on the Parliamentary Estate, excluding Portcullis House, has been approximately £23 million.