Question

To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will publish the projects relating to the Palace of Westminster commissioned since 2015 detailing the (a) extent of work and for completed projects, (b) estimated budget, (c) estimated timescales and (d) final cost and completion timescales.

Since 2015 a number of capital works projects have been undertaken within the Palace of Westminster, many of which remain ongoing. The majority of these projects are driven by health and safety, personnel and asset protection, or critical operational need. To provide a comprehensive list would exceed the prohibitive cost threshold for responding to a Parliamentary Question.

The overall funding for capital works is set each year by the Commission through the Medium-Term Investment Plan following advice from the Finance Committee. There is a rigorous process of financial control for all projects, overseen by the House’s Audit Committee, and the progress of all projects is monitored routinely by the Joint Investment Board* and the Finance Committees of both Houses. In addition, there is a regular flow of assurance – monitoring how projects are delivered against time, cost and quality – provided by a variety of external bodies.

*The Joint Investment Board (JIB) is a sub-committee of the House of Commons Executive Board and House of Lords Management Board. For capital works projects, JIB provides prioritisation, scrutiny and assurance, maintaining an overview of the capability and capacity of the project community. The Board escalates any concerns to the Commons Executive Board and the Lords Management Board.