PARLIAMENTARY EDUCATION CENTRE
36. In October 2007, the House agreed the Committee's
report on Improving Facilities for Educational Visitors to
Parliament (HL Paper 177, Session 2006-07),[11]
which concluded that "a dedicated space for school visitors
of approximately 1,000 square metres (consisting of flexible accommodation
of five classrooms with ancillary space for storage, toilet facilities,
a lunch area and locker space) should be sought either on or off
the existing Estate—the exact space depending on what becomes
available and at what cost". Following that decision, a detailed
feasibility study was undertaken to identify a suitable location
and examine how it could be adapted to meet the agreed requirements.
37. In May 2008, we considered the results of
that feasibility study and approved plans for a new Parliamentary
Education Centre, which should open in the Commons area of the
Estate in 2012. The Centre will transform the facilities for education
visitors to Parliament by providing a high quality professional
space dedicated to learning. The increase in space will enable
the Education Service to offer sessions for 100, 000 visitors
per year, compared to the 29, 000 currently accommodated. The
Centre will include video conferencing facilities and a space
where art, archives and artefacts can be displayed. The Committee
warmly welcomes the development of a Parliamentary Education Centre.
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