Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the prohibition of visitors bringing their folding bikes into the DEFRA office at 2 Marsham Street in London; and whether that prohibition is compatible with the aims of that Department’s environmental policies.

Defra is a tenant at 2 Marsham Street, with the Home Office (Defra’s Landlord) occupying the majority of the site. Defra follows the security protocols set by the Home Office.

For folding bikes the following protocols apply across the whole building:

• Full building pass holders can bring folding bikes into the office but most enter via the car park and leave bikes at the bike racks.

• VIPs are permitted to enter the office space with a folding bike.

• Pre-booked visitors are requested to take their bike to the car park entrance where it can be left in a secure sheltered area (visitor bike racks are provided).

• Unannounced visitors are required to contact their host/sponsor to vouch for them and book them in on arrival so that they can leave their bike at the car park entrance.

  Folding bikes cannot be processed through the security scanners at the Marsham Street reception.