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769016

	registered interest
	date	11/10/2017
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Big Ben: Repairs and Maintenance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what material has been used in the scaffolding for the renovation work on the Elizabeth Tower; and what the country of origin was of that material.
	tabling member constituency	Aberavon
	tabling member printed	Stephen Kinnock
	uin	107189
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/10/2017 answer text <p>A modular scaffolding system is being used for the refurbishment of the Elizabeth Tower. A UK sub-contractor is erecting the modular system, which is made from high tensile galvanised steel supplied from Germany, through a UK-based company.</p><p>The modular scaffolding system is supported by a steelwork gantry. The steelwork for the gantry has been procured through a UK manufacturer (Sir Robert McAlpine’s sub-contractor). The origin of the majority of the steel is British, but due to the quantity and size of the components required it has been necessary to source some steel from overseas suppliers, including in Brazil and the United Arab Emirates.</p><p>All of the steelwork structures have been assembled in the UK.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake question first answered 18/10/2017 17:05:46 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
	tabling member	4359 label Biography information for Stephen Kinnock

390407

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Divisions: Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Rt. Hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, what electronic upgrades to the recording of divisions in the House (a) have been made since 2010 and (b) are under preparation in connection with proposed changes to the standing orders on English votes on English laws.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
	tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
	uin	7244
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2015 answer text <p>Accurate recording of divisions and timely publication of division lists are critical business activities of the House of Commons.</p><p> </p><p>The House Service has been investigating means of electronic recording of divisions since October 2014, with a view to improving the timely publication of division lists, making division data more accessible to the public and easier to analyse, and improving accuracy. The House of Lords recently moved to recording divisions on tablet devices.</p><p> </p><p>A trial was held in the House in March 2015 in which seven divisions were recorded in part by division clerks on tablet devices.</p><p> </p><p>Full implementation of tablet recording of divisions is expected to take place later in the current Session. This change had been planned before the announcement of the Government’s proposals for English votes for English laws, although the use of tablets would make it easier and quicker to provide the results of divisions taken under the proposed ‘double-majority’ system.</p><p> </p><p>In 2013/14 the amount spent on electronic upgrades to the recording of divisions was zero.</p><p> </p><p>In 2014/15, the amount spent on electronic upgrades to the recording of divisions was £9,900. This included £5,000 for the cost of developing software and £4,900 for purchasing the tablet devices referred to above.</p><p> </p><p>The work on the project is not yet complete, but the total amount spent to date in 2015/16 is £6,700. This includes £5,000 for purchasing tablet devices and £1,700 to modify the software to enable the tablets to provide the results of divisions taken under the proposed ‘double-majority’ system.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake grouped question UIN 7245 question first answered 20/07/2015 15:48:23 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
	tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

390408

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Divisions: Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Rt. Hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, how much has been spent on electronic upgrades to the recording of divisions in the House in each of the last two financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
	tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
	uin	7245
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2015 answer text <p>Accurate recording of divisions and timely publication of division lists are critical business activities of the House of Commons.</p><p> </p><p>The House Service has been investigating means of electronic recording of divisions since October 2014, with a view to improving the timely publication of division lists, making division data more accessible to the public and easier to analyse, and improving accuracy. The House of Lords recently moved to recording divisions on tablet devices.</p><p> </p><p>A trial was held in the House in March 2015 in which seven divisions were recorded in part by division clerks on tablet devices.</p><p> </p><p>Full implementation of tablet recording of divisions is expected to take place later in the current Session. This change had been planned before the announcement of the Government’s proposals for English votes for English laws, although the use of tablets would make it easier and quicker to provide the results of divisions taken under the proposed ‘double-majority’ system.</p><p> </p><p>In 2013/14 the amount spent on electronic upgrades to the recording of divisions was zero.</p><p> </p><p>In 2014/15, the amount spent on electronic upgrades to the recording of divisions was £9,900. This included £5,000 for the cost of developing software and £4,900 for purchasing the tablet devices referred to above.</p><p> </p><p>The work on the project is not yet complete, but the total amount spent to date in 2015/16 is £6,700. This includes £5,000 for purchasing tablet devices and £1,700 to modify the software to enable the tablets to provide the results of divisions taken under the proposed ‘double-majority’ system.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake grouped question UIN 7244 question first answered 20/07/2015 15:48:24 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
	tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

390837

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Divisions: Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Rt. Hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, what estimate he has made of the change in the cost of electronic upgrades for recording divisions arising from proposed changes to Standing Orders on English votes on English laws.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
	tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
	uin	7760
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2015 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to my answer yesterday to Questions 7244 and 7245.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake question first answered 21/07/2015 09:19:26 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
	tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

425142

	registered interest
	date	30/10/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Parliament: Internet
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will take steps to ensure that the parliament.uk website states the country in which hon. Members' constituencies are located.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
	tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
	uin	14160
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2015 answer text <p>The way that Members’ biographical information is displayed on Parliament’s website is not a matter for the Commission. I have, however, drawn the Administration Committee’s attention to the hon. Member’s request, and would advise her to approach the Chair of that Committee directly to discuss her proposal. The Administration Committee can then decide whether to offer advice on this matter to the authorities of the House.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake question first answered 05/11/2015 11:26:43 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake previous answer version 27856 answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
	tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

518296

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2016
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons Annunciator System: Internet
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Rt. hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will make information on the House of Commons annunciator available online in real time.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
	tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
	uin	36829
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2016 answer text <p>The House is currently completing a procurement process to replace the software system which enables publication of information on the annunciator service. The solution has been specified in such a way that the data will be available in an open format. The information will be published in real time and made available to connected devices.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake question first answered 12/05/2016 10:55:15 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
	tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

648822

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2016
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons Annunciator System: Internet
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Rt. hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, with reference to the Answer of 12 May 2016 to Question 36829, on House of Commons Annunciator System: Internet, when procurement for that system will be completed; and when he expects that system to be in operation.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
	tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
	uin	55714
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2016 answer text <p>A successful procurement process was concluded in June 2016 for a new annunciator system. As part of phase one of this project, we anticipate the new software will be rolled out by Easter 2017. The system has been specified in such a way that it will enable delivery of the data to mobile devices as part of phase two of this project. A delivery date for phase two has yet to be agreed.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake question first answered 08/12/2016 11:48:20 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
	tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

349339

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, how much has been spent on repair, renovation and restoration of the Palace of Westminster in each financial year from 2005 to 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
	tabling member printed	Neil Gray
	uin	1774
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2015 answer text <p>The two Houses spent the following amounts on repair, renovation and restoration of the Palace of Westminster in each financial year from 2007/08 to 2014/15. Figures before 2007/08 are not available.</p><p>2007/08 - £27.6m<br>2008/09 - £18.4m<br>2009/10 - £31.6m<br>2010/11 - £29.2m<br>2011/12 - £29.3m<br>2012/13 - £36.3m<br>2013/14 - £42.2m<br>2014/15 - £48.7m (Provisional, subject to audit)</p> answering member constituency Mole Valley answering member printed Sir Paul Beresford question first answered 15/06/2015 14:22:38 answering member 103 label Biography information for Sir Paul Beresford
	tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

349340

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, by what process the Commission procures repair and renovation work for the Palace of Westminster.
	tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
	tabling member printed	Neil Gray
	uin	1775
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2015 answer text <p>The process by which repair and renovation of the Palace of Westminster is procured – whether for the purpose of the longer-term Restoration and Renewal Programme, the Medium Term Investment Plan, or otherwise:</p><ol><li>is shaped by objectives specified in an Outline Business Case produced in accordance with the Treasury Green Book Five Case model;</li><li>is resolved by a contract awarded through an open and competitive tender procedure that is compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015;</li><li>takes into consideration whether compliant collaborative procurement options, where available, are a viable option according to the scope of the work;</li><li>includes a specification and range of award criteria which are representative of, and will be capable of realising, the value-for-money objectives determined by the respective Outline Business Case;</li><li>may be considered within a higher level Gateway Review Assurance process where considered appropriate.</li></ol><p><br>The default position in the Houses’ Procurement Policy is to set evaluation criteria weightings of 70% for price and 30% for quality. We expect these ratios to be applied when procuring repair and renovation works. The House Procurement Policy goes on to provide a waiver process by which a justification and recommendation can be made to vary these weightings according to circumstances and value-for-money considerations specific to a given procurement. A contract that looks to transfer a higher level of responsibility and liability for design to the contractor is a common example of where the balance in weighting may be moved towards quality as a consequence of a waiver application.</p><p>The need for repairs is determined with reference to a number of factors: condition surveys of the Estate; an annual exercise to prioritise the portfolio of projects; inspections carried out on a quadrennial basis; advice from the House’s Design Authority; and calls to the PED Helpdesk. In particular:</p><ol><li>A comprehensive condition survey of the Estate was carried out in 2008/09, the results of which fed into a 25-year plan. This survey identified a significant number of defects, the works for which were all priced and given recommended completion dates. These tasks were then packaged minor or major projects and added to the scope of existing works within the 25-year plan.</li><li>Following on from this comprehensive survey, there is a rolling programme of condition surveys every two years, which similarly identifies defects and further work.</li><li>An annual exercise is undertaken by senior managers, including the Director General of Facilities and the Finance Director, to assess and prioritise the portfolio of projects in order to inform the Medium Term Investment Plan for the following four-year period. Projects are prioritised, taking the following factors into account:</li></ol><ul><li>compliance with legislative or contractual requirements;</li><li>business objectives;</li><li>mitigation of the risk of failure to services;</li><li>conservation of the fabric of the buildings.</li></ul><p><br>The Medium Term Investment Plan is then considered by the Finance Committee before being approved by the House of Commons Commission.</p><ol><li>The Palace of Westminster is a Grade 1 listed building, and PED follows best practice by ensuring that an inspection is carried out every four years by the Conservation and Architectural Team. These inspections identify tasks which should be carried out to ensure the fabric of the building is maintained properly.</li><li>The PED Design Authority, established in 2011, is committed to “ensure consistent standards, value for money, statutory compliance and user satisfaction”. Practically, it concentrates on the lifecycle of the engineering assets, ensuring that initial and replacement capital costs are balanced with the ongoing operating and maintenance costs, and with identified business needs. It acts as a Central Engineering department, and advises on the requirements for works and systems and services across the Parliamentary Estate.</li><li>PED has a helpdesk system which receives and handles building faults reported by Members, Members’ staff, and staff of the House. These faults are prioritised according to service level agreements.</li></ol><p><br>The Director General of Facilities would be happy to brief the hon. Member in more detail, should he wish.</p> answering member constituency Mole Valley answering member printed Sir Paul Beresford grouped question UIN 1776 1777 question first answered 15/06/2015 11:46:30 answering member 103 label Biography information for Sir Paul Beresford
	tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

349341

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons: Repairs and Maintenance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, what weighting the Commission gives to best value for money in its repairs and renovations procurement policy.
	tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
	tabling member printed	Neil Gray
	uin	1776
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2015 answer text <p>The process by which repair and renovation of the Palace of Westminster is procured – whether for the purpose of the longer-term Restoration and Renewal Programme, the Medium Term Investment Plan, or otherwise:</p><ol><li>is shaped by objectives specified in an Outline Business Case produced in accordance with the Treasury Green Book Five Case model;</li><li>is resolved by a contract awarded through an open and competitive tender procedure that is compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015;</li><li>takes into consideration whether compliant collaborative procurement options, where available, are a viable option according to the scope of the work;</li><li>includes a specification and range of award criteria which are representative of, and will be capable of realising, the value-for-money objectives determined by the respective Outline Business Case;</li><li>may be considered within a higher level Gateway Review Assurance process where considered appropriate.</li></ol><p><br>The default position in the Houses’ Procurement Policy is to set evaluation criteria weightings of 70% for price and 30% for quality. We expect these ratios to be applied when procuring repair and renovation works. The House Procurement Policy goes on to provide a waiver process by which a justification and recommendation can be made to vary these weightings according to circumstances and value-for-money considerations specific to a given procurement. A contract that looks to transfer a higher level of responsibility and liability for design to the contractor is a common example of where the balance in weighting may be moved towards quality as a consequence of a waiver application.</p><p>The need for repairs is determined with reference to a number of factors: condition surveys of the Estate; an annual exercise to prioritise the portfolio of projects; inspections carried out on a quadrennial basis; advice from the House’s Design Authority; and calls to the PED Helpdesk. In particular:</p><ol><li>A comprehensive condition survey of the Estate was carried out in 2008/09, the results of which fed into a 25-year plan. This survey identified a significant number of defects, the works for which were all priced and given recommended completion dates. These tasks were then packaged minor or major projects and added to the scope of existing works within the 25-year plan.</li><li>Following on from this comprehensive survey, there is a rolling programme of condition surveys every two years, which similarly identifies defects and further work.</li><li>An annual exercise is undertaken by senior managers, including the Director General of Facilities and the Finance Director, to assess and prioritise the portfolio of projects in order to inform the Medium Term Investment Plan for the following four-year period. Projects are prioritised, taking the following factors into account:</li></ol><ul><li>compliance with legislative or contractual requirements;</li><li>business objectives;</li><li>mitigation of the risk of failure to services;</li><li>conservation of the fabric of the buildings.</li></ul><p><br>The Medium Term Investment Plan is then considered by the Finance Committee before being approved by the House of Commons Commission.</p><ol><li>The Palace of Westminster is a Grade 1 listed building, and PED follows best practice by ensuring that an inspection is carried out every four years by the Conservation and Architectural Team. These inspections identify tasks which should be carried out to ensure the fabric of the building is maintained properly.</li><li>The PED Design Authority, established in 2011, is committed to “ensure consistent standards, value for money, statutory compliance and user satisfaction”. Practically, it concentrates on the lifecycle of the engineering assets, ensuring that initial and replacement capital costs are balanced with the ongoing operating and maintenance costs, and with identified business needs. It acts as a Central Engineering department, and advises on the requirements for works and systems and services across the Parliamentary Estate.</li><li>PED has a helpdesk system which receives and handles building faults reported by Members, Members’ staff, and staff of the House. These faults are prioritised according to service level agreements.</li></ol><p><br>The Director General of Facilities would be happy to brief the hon. Member in more detail, should he wish.</p> answering member constituency Mole Valley answering member printed Sir Paul Beresford grouped question UIN 1775 1777 question first answered 15/06/2015 11:46:30 answering member 103 label Biography information for Sir Paul Beresford
	tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray