Parliamentary Committees and Public Enquiries
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Treasury Committee report on the restoration of Parliament

The Treasury Committee publishes a preliminary report on the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster.

Chair's comments

Rt Hon. Andrew Tyrie MP, Chairman of the Treasury Committee, said:

"This is one of the largest major restorations in the history of the public sector. Apparently, it is likely to cost at least £3.5 billion over 5-8 years.

This can only be justified to taxpayers if Parliament and the public see the evidence required to make an informed decision.

The Committee's inquiry into this hugely expensive project will challenge and assess the work and conclusions of the existing reports.

Until such work has been carried out, it would be imprudent for Parliament to commit to a specific option."

Background

The Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster is likely to be one of the largest major restorations in the history of the public sector estate. The consultants have estimated that the cost, if carried out over the minimum period of 5-8 years, will be between £3.5 and £4 billion. A Joint Committee of both House of Parliament reported on the options presented by the consultants.

On 15 December 2016, Andrew Tyrie MP wrote to David Lidington MP, Leader of the House of Commons, to ask for greater clarity on the value for money of the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster.

The report

The preliminary report concludes that:

[The Committee] will attempt to assist the House by challenging and testing the work and the conclusions of Deloitte and the Joint Committee. Because of the extensive investigations already carried out, our inquiry is likely to be relatively short and specific. Until this work has been carried out, it is our view that it would be imprudent for the House to commit to a specific option or timetable.

Further information

 

Channel website: http://www.parliament.uk/

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