On Wednesday, 25th January 2017 I represented the Government during a debate on the renewal and restoration of the Palace of Westminster.
The Palace of Westminster is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world and is a great symbol of democracy. However, as a very old building, ongoing maintenance is vital for it to be functional. This issue crosses party political lines and when a Labour MP secured a debate in Westminster Hall on the renewal and restoration of Parliament I was the Minister in charge, with the responsibility to respond to the points made and make a closing speech.
During the debate, I made the point that due to decades of minimal patch and mend repairs, we have reached a point where a small make-do-and-mend job is no longer an option and significant repairs to the Palace are needed. Ongoing maintenance costs are spiraling as a result; last year maintenance cost £50 million. Some 40% of the mechanical and engineering systems will be at an unacceptably high risk of failure by 2020 – meaning there is a considerable risk that one fire or accident could cause us to lose the building altogether.
At present we are faced with two options: entirely vacate the Palace for around six years to allow repairs to be done, or stay in the building whilst the repairs are being done which could take over a decade. Both options will be costly, although the former option is cheaper and quicker, according to a report by a committee which sat for a year to consider the proposals. The ultimate decision is not a matter for the Government, but for the legislature - parliament will make its own decision.
Parliament belongs to everyone in this country and it is for that reason that we as parliamentarians have a responsibility to ensure that it is preserved for future generations.