Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Right hon. Member for East Hampshire representing the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body, what assessment he has made of the merits of including (a) swift bricks, (b) bird boxes, (c) beehives, and (d) others in the refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster.

The Restoration and Renewal Programme has conducted preliminary assessments of the potential benefits of promoting biodiversity as part of the restoration works, including the introduction of swift bricks and bird boxes, and the desirability of such measures will be subject to the requirements of both Houses. The potential inclusion of beehives will require more careful consideration, including the health and safety implications, while other measures could include ensuring that all planting is pollinator friendly. The Sponsor Body has also agreed a strategic objective for the Programme to optimise the environmental impacty of the Palace in its construction and operation, which has been endorsed by the Commissions of both Houses and will be kept under review as the Programme progresses.