Oral Answers to Questions

Christian Matheson Excerpts

Thursday 18th October 2018 Commons Chamber

The right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, was asked—

[Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab)]

3. What recent progress has been made on the Northern Estate programme.

[Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley)]

Work has started on changes to Commissioner’s Yard Gate, where an additional secure vehicle access point for deliveries and construction traffic is being constructed. Planning approval and listed building consent have been obtained for preparatory work on 1 Derby Gate. This building will be refurbished and adapted to make it suitable to be used for accommodation for Members, and I believe work will start around the end of this month, when the last occupants are moved out.

[Christian Matheson]

We missed an opportunity with the refurbishment of the Elizabeth Tower, when the work was given to a known blacklisting company. May I therefore ask the hon. Gentleman and the House of Commons Commission whether consideration will be given in the contracts being drawn up for the Northern Estate project to ensuring that companies that are unrepentant blacklisters are not allowed to do work on this site?

[Sir Paul Beresford]

I think we will continue with the procedures we have used before and pick the suitable candidate to do the suitable work on the basis of a number of measures.