House of Commons Hansard Debates for 19 Mar 1991

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Commons Court have all been used to provide additional accommodation. The Barry extension, surrounding New Palace Yard, proved too controversial.

There were major acquisitions in the 1970s, such as Norman Shaw North and South, which accommodates almost 150 Members, the Library and 200 secretaries' desks. The development of Bridge street has been less encouraging. A number of plans have come to naught, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South and other hon. Members referred. The House will recall the design with which Spence and Webster won the competition for a new parliamentary building, which was abandoned in 1976. There were plans by Sir William Holford in the early 1960s, by Sir Leslie Martin for the whole of the Whitehall area in the mid-1960s and the Casson Conder comprehensive proposals which were abandoned in 1979, as my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South said.

Although 1979 saw the cancellation of the then latest scheme for improving accommodation for Members and staff, and was the cause of more delay, it could in retrospect be seen as a watershed. Instead of large-scale developments causing major demands on the public purse, we have gone forward since then in smaller bites. As a result, we have achieved more in the 1980s on the site than in the whole of the previous 20 years.

It may be appropriate to mention the important role played by my right hon. Friend the Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine). He achieved that sea change in 1979, and pushed through phase 1 of the redevelopment. It is appropriate that he is back at the Department to do the same for phase 2.

The first of the recent major improvements was1 Canon row, occupied in summer 1989. Although it was refurbished only for short-term use pending redevelopment as part of the Bridge street project, it none the less provided some worthwhile gains, accommodating 30 Members' secretaries, providing training accommodation for the Official Report and bringing together the staff of the Parliamentary Works Office. Better police accommodation has been provided, as--most recently--has an improved gymnasium, for which tribute should be paid to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, West (Sir J. Spicer). There were also consequential gains in the Palace. The leader of the Liberal Democrats--who do not seem to be represented in this debate--gained a much larger suite of offices, and additional Members' offices were built on the official corridor, off the Strangers' Gallery and on the ground floor--about 10 in all. That may not seem a lot, but it is at least significant.

My hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South rightly mentioned the progress--and lack of progress--with Bridge street phase 1. The contract was let in May 1987 and work started in the following month for completion in May 1990. The new accommodation should have been available for occupation at the end of the summer recess last year, but it is a matter of history that that did not happen. The Services Committee commented that the lack of progress was

"a sorry commentary on the state of the building industry", and I tend to share that view, but there will be other occasions for a post mortem ; perhaps tonight we can look forward.

The fine building that emerged from the scaffolding is now clearly visible. I do not know whether my hon. Friend

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has been around the building, but it is well worth a visit. I was enormously impressed by the way in which the work had been carried out and by the high standard of finish. It will, I think, be a very attractive proposition for hon. Members who locate there. It is equally obvious that the work is now coming to an end. The main contractors' senior managers have said that the contract will be completed by Easter, which is less than two weeks away. There is still some major snagging work to be completed and a good deal of effort is going into that. I hope that on this occasion the House will not be disappointed.

I know that the New Building Sub-Committee is keeping a close eye on developments. It will visit the site shortly after Easter to confirm that the forecast has been fulfilled, as will I. If the target is achieved, moves into the building will start at the time of the spring bank holiday, and should be completed by the end of the summer recess. The building will provide accommodation for 100 Members' secretaries and 60 Members, a cafeteria seating 150 for the use of both Members and staff, a Library for all those north of Bridge street and residences for senior staff, as well as overnight sleeping accommodation.

The benefits, however, will be enjoyed not only by those who move into the new building. There will be less overcrowding in existing Members' offices, less pressure on the catering facilities in the Palace, improved Library facilities and better offices for staff. My hon. Friend the Member for St. Ives suggested that there might be less congestion in the Cloisters. That is a matter for the usual channels, but I am sure that his suggestions will be taken on board. The vacated residences of the Serjeant at Arms, the Deputy Serjeant and the Speaker's Secretary are all to become Members' offices. It will also be possible to bring into use the derelict area above the Speaker's Secretary's residence, which will mean further gains for Members. Following phase I and the consequentials, 112 secretaries and 127 Members will gain desks. My hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South, will need to put her case as persuasively as she can to my right hon. Friend the Chief Whip, whose responsibility this is--patronage : that is real power ! Even those who do not succeed in obtaining one of the new rooms should at least find that their existing rooms are less crowded. Those changes should all be completed early in the new year.

Not only will Members gain ; particular attention has been paid to the Refreshment Department, which was mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Torridge and Devon, West (Miss Nicholson). It is acknowledged that there is a serious problem there. Additional accommodation has been allocated on the ground floor of the Palace : that will be used for lockers and changing rooms this year, while long-term plans are developed in conjunction with the Catering Sub-Committee. The Administration Department will also gain significantly more space this year in Dean's Yard to help overcome the present shortage.

My hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South expressed concern about the speed at which phase 2 has been developed. Hon. Members in all parts of the House agree that the accommodation ought to be provided quickly. The Services Committee produced its report--"New Parliamentary Building (Phase 2). The Next Steps"--which we debated about two years ago. The report recommended that consultants should be appointed to

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carry out preliminary design work on New Palace Chambers, to identify suitable uses for Nos. 1 and 2 Bridge street and to undertake a feasibility study of the proposed Bridge street subway. Following a fee-bidding exercise, Michael Hopkins and Partners was appointed in 1989. Both the House and the Department have appointed an eminent architect. My hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South perhaps knows the cutlery factory that the company designed for David Mellor--not my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor)--at Hathersage. It won a Royal Institute of British Architects Award in 1989. Already we have firm evidence of Mr. Hopkins's foresight. In addition to undertaking the three particular studies, he was asked whether he could undertake a sharp, short look at the total site. That proved invaluable when, shortly afterwards, London Underground announced its intention to extend the Jubilee line with a new station on the phase 2 site.

The phase 2 site is the last opportunity to provide purpose-made accommodation in a new building close to the House. It is important, therefore, to know in detail what is needed. I am sure that the hon. Member for Ogmore listened to what my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South said about facilities for the disabled. In addition to what can be supplied in phase 2, I understand that further improvements are about to be put to the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee to improve facilities in the Palace. It was agreed that the Sub-Committee should undertake what has become known as the space audit. It looked at existing

accommodation--particularly offices--to assess both the needs and the shortfall. It involved a thorough review of all the existing accommodation. It is the first time that there has been a qualitative and quantitative assessment. It found that between 210 and 230 offices were needed for Members and for an equivalent number of staff.

It would be wrong to prejudge the views of the Services Committee on the proposals, but I understand that they have been generally well received. These recommendations, together with bids from departments of the House, form the basis of the proposed brief which will be available for hon. Members to consider on 21 March in Committee Room 7. I urge all hon. Members to visit the room. Initially, only about 60 hon. Members responded to the request made by the hon. Member for Ogmore for proposals.

What is the next step? The Services Committee will produce a final brief soon after the Easter recess. That is obviously another important stage. Then we shall have in place the site, the architect and the requirement, after which we shall be able to put forward a coherent set of proposals to the Treasury. We shall be seeking agreement in principle to funds amounting to some £60 million. At a time when we are urging everyone to provide value for money and to look carefully at public expenditure proposals, the House must apply the same criterion to its own proposals.

Much design work still needs to be done. The House will want to see the design proposals and to form a view. We must also consult the Royal Fine Art Commission at the appropriate stage and seek planning approval. A rough estimate suggests that another 18 months to two years' design work is necessary and that the construction period could take three or four years. I know that my hon.

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Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South will say that that is a long period, but I am confident that she will still be in the House at the end of the construction period.

One has to remember that this development is a little different from the construction of a new car factory in her constituency. Apart from its being a large development, it is a difficult site technically. It is the last remaining site to be developed in the sensitive Westminster-Whitehall area. It provides a backdrop to an internationally famous sight. It is crucial that we get it right, not just for the benefit of the House in functional terms but so that we can show that

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this country can produce late 20th century architecture that is worthy of the site. We want it to be something that we can show to the world.

This has been a most helpful debate at an important stage in the timing of phase 2. As a Department of the Environment Minister, I have found it helpful to gauge the feeling of the House. Moreover, the hon. Member for Ogmore has had the opportunity to put his toe in the water and feel the temperature. I conclude by thanking my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South and colleagues in all parts of the House for a most constructive and helpful debate.

Question put and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at twenty-nine minutes past Ten o'clock.

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