Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what is the remit of the parliamentary Heritage Team; who it reports to and what powers it has to prevent or change plans for adaptations on the Estate with are designed to make access easier for disabled members or visitors.

The remit of the Parliament’s Architecture and Conservation team (Heritage Team), which reports to the Managing Director of Strategic Estates, is to advise officers of Parliament’s Administration on good practice when managing works to the historic buildings on the Parliamentary Estate. The Architecture and Conservation team are responsible for ensuring that the Administration does not jeopardise Parliament’s adherence to the legal restrictions placed on it by the Grade 1 listing or the designation as a World Heritage site. Working within these restrictions, the Heritage Team and Strategic Estates work collaboratively with teams across the House of Lords to ensure that all projects, including those to improve accessibility, meet the heritage requirements of the building.