Question

To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 20 September 2021 to Question 49191 on Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance, what the (a) value of the stonework order is, (b) timescale for completion and (c) extent and locations of all proposed works.

As stated in the answer to question 49191, it is not possible to provide the value of the stonework order until we have completed the business case. Similarly, the extent, locations and timescales of all the repairs will also be determined by the business case. As stated in the last answer, the timescale of this business case is approximately 18 months. The repair work is driven by the need to ensure that health and safety risks are eliminated before they arise. Aside from Cloister Court, key areas identified by initial surveys carried out in 2020 are:

• Westminster Hall (North Elevation)

• The Colonnade, both internally and externally

• Peers Court

• Peers Inner Court

• St Stephen’s Hall

• Star Chamber Court

• Central Spire