Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Fabricant Excerpts

Thursday 13th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

1. What discussions the Commission has had with the Parliamentary Works Directorate on the possibility of vacating the Palace of Westminster to facilitate the renewal of the fabric of the building and an overhaul of its essential facilities.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

6. What assessment the Commission has made of the risk of exposure to asbestos in the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement.

[Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

8. What plans he has for the Palace of Westminster to close for refurbishment.

--- Later in debate ---

[John Thurso]

The hon. Gentleman makes an extremely good point. It is difficult at this stage to make a proper assessment of the cost, but we expect the report to contain an assessment of the various costs and, therefore, an indication of the best avenue to pursue. The Commission will ensure that it pursues the best value for money, which will involve a combination of the lowest-cost option and keeping Parliament functioning properly.

[Michael Fabricant]

If Parliament is to be decanted, may I make a shameless bid for it to be decanted to Birmingham? [Interruption.] Why not? It is our second city. Will my hon. Friend confirm that the cost of doing the works over 10 years would be considerably higher than the cost of decanting and doing the work over two or three years?

[John Thurso]

On my hon. Friend’s suggestion about Birmingham, I cannot possibly comment. In regard to the costs, it is my experience from my past life that a decant and a quick contract are often preferable to a series of contracts with no decant, but that is a matter for the study, and we must be led by the evidence that is produced. We will follow that properly.