Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 28 April (HL7855), why the answer did not provide the information requested regarding (1) spending to date, and (2) further sums already committed.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The information is still being assessed.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why they have published no information about the cost of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre since December 2018.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Information on costs was published in September 2021.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 28 April (HL7856), what criteria will determine when is the appropriate time to publish further information about the cost of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Publication will be considered when costs are no longer commercially sensitive.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 28 April (HL7853), what steps they took before July 2019 to (1) ascertain, and (2) secure, the ownership of Victoria Tower Gardens for the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre; and what assessment they made of the statutory provisions that existed relating to the use of the land.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Victoria Tower Gardens is Crown land. The feasibility of the site was discussed with key stakeholders, including DCMS, Westminster City Council, and The Royal Parks, and no technical obstacles were raised that would prevent the Memorial and Learning Centre being built in Victoria Tower Gardens.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 28 April (HL7855), when the cost of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre was last reviewed.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Costs are currently being reviewed in light of the delay due to the High Court judgement.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will (1) publish a list of the elements of the capital and running costs of the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre which are commercially confidential, with the reasons in each case, (2) indicate what steps are required before each aspect ceases to be commercially confidential, and (3) provide their assessment of which aspects will remain confidential at the time of the next Government Major Projects Portfolio report.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
These costs will be determined through competitive tender and releasing details could affect our ability to achieve best value for money. The costs will be published at the appropriate time in line with the Government Major Projects Portfolio reporting process.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much, to date, has been spent on the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre; and what further sums have been committed under contracts for the design, project management, site preparation and construction of the Centre.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Costs are regularly reviewed and updated figures will be published in due course in line with the Government Major Projects Portfolio reporting process. Additional costs resulting from the delay due to the High Court judgement are being assessed.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they took between October 2015 and June 2019 to ascertain whether there were any restrictions on the use of Victoria Tower Gardens.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Professional advisers carried out checks as part of the normal planning process, including searching land registry.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what value for money assessments they conducted on the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre (1) before £50 million was committed to the project, and (2) before that sum was increased to £75 million; what criteria were used in each case to assess the effectiveness and value for money of the proposal; and whether they will place copies of these assessments in the Library of the House.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Value for money has been assessed in the business case in line with Green Book guidance.