Restoration and Renewal Programme: Strategic Review Submissions

Damian Hinds Excerpts

Wednesday 1st July 2020 Written Statements

[Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con)]

Following the announcement of its intention to conduct a strategic review of the restoration and renewal programme, today the sponsor body invites Members of the House and their staff to submit their views to inform our review.

Members and Members' staff are invited to give their views on the following questions:

How should developments since the previous conclusions were drawn by the joint committee on the Palace of Westminster in 2016—political, economic, commercial, social, technological, environmental or other—affect how the Houses of Parliament are restored and renewed?

In the interests of affordability and value for money, what compromises could be acceptable during the works, for example in relation to accommodation, location, disturbance, ways of working, facilities and general working environment?

What balance should be struck between spending the minimum required to prevent a catastrophic failure from flood and fire and taking the opportunity to renew Parliament for the future, for example by improving accessibility or making any other improvements or enhancements to the palace?

Are there any other matters which you think the review should take into account?

Submissions can be emailed to [e-mail]. The deadline for submissions is 7 August. Further information is available on the intranet.

In line with the sponsor body's statutory obligations, views are also being sought from parliamentary staff and members of the public. The review is expected to conclude in the autumn and its findings will be considered by the sponsor body board and the Commissions of both Houses in the first instance.

[HCWS328]