Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Blomfield Excerpts

Thursday 9th July 2015 Commons Chamber

The Leader of the House was asked—

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

1. What assessment he has made of the implications for the House of the proposals for the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster.

[Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)]

9. What assessment he has made of the implications for the House of the proposals for the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster.

[The Leader of the House of Commons (Chris Grayling)]

We intend to establish a Joint Committee of Parliament on the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster. I expect this to be established before the summer recess. The Committee, which will be co-chaired by the Leaders of both Houses, will consider the independent options appraisal report, which was laid before both Houses on 18 June, as well as related evidence. It will then make recommendations to both Houses on a way forward, taking account of costs, benefits, risks and potential timescales.

[Paul Blomfield]

Too many decisions affecting the country as a whole are made by people who view them through the prism of their personal experience living and working in London. Does the Leader of the House recognise that moving Parliament out of the Palace of Westminster not only is the most cost-effective approach to restoration, but provides a unique opportunity to take decision making out of the metropolitan bubble; and will he think seriously about temporary relocation to one of our great northern cities, such as Sheffield?

[Chris Grayling]

I think that is the third or fourth representation I have had so far to locate Parliament in an hon. Member’s constituency. I suspect—