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<p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee,
to respond on his behalf.</p><p>The last fire risk assessment for Victoria Tower was
carried out in 2016. It highlighted several fire safety issues, the majority of which
have been dealt with as part of the Fire Safety Improvement Works Programme. This
included the upgrade of the fire detection, new fire escape signage, emergency escape
lighting and fire doors. There is also inherent fire compartmentation within the tower
with the floors providing at least 30 minutes separation between the different levels.
The fire risk assessment is scheduled for a review following the recent works and
any issues highlighted in this review will be addressed.</p><p>Planning work is being
undertaken to move the Parliamentary Archives ahead of Restoration and Renewal of
the Palace, under the auspices of the Archives Accommodation Programme. The programme
is developing requirements and designs for a range of options. The designs will take
into account all known fire risks and will meet the necessary British Standards, both
for fire mitigation and for archival storage, care and use of such important heritage
collections.</p>
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