Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans there are to ensure that those requiring access to the Parliamentary estate can renew their passes efficiently once the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted.

A large backlog of expired or new passes has built up during the pandemic and systems and plans are in place to deal with this once the COVID-19 restrictions start to ease. Extensive communications are going out to all passholders to remind them to check the expiry date on their pass before they return, and to send in a renewal application if it has expired or will expire shortly.

An appointments system has been introduced for anyone returning to the Parliamentary estate who needs to collect a pass, so that the flow of people into the Pass Issuing Offices can be managed in a way that avoids long queues and respects social distancing. A new Pass Issuing Office is expected to open shortly, which will double the number of customer services desks currently offered by the two existing Pass Issuing Offices. The new Office will ultimately replace one of the existing Offices, however all three will remain open over the summer to help manage any peaks in demand that may arise as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Consideration is being given to extending the opening hours of the Pass Issuing Offices during periods of high demand, and contingency arrangements, such as opening desks in Portcullis House and other locations on the estate to issue renewal passes if the Issuing Offices risk being overwhelmed, are also being considered.

These measures will be kept under review as access restrictions change in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.