answer text |
<p>For security reasons, the Houses do not publish capital expenditure on security
mitigating projects as providing this level of detail could enable an individual to
infer the extent and nature of the works, and thus the vulnerabilities which they
were intended to mitigate.</p><p>The necessity and cost of the works at Peers’ Entrance
have been the subject of rigorous internal assessment through the usual business case
process. The plans have also been validated by external experts. Members are always
welcome to contact the Director of Security to discuss any security-related concerns
privately. <br></p><p>The Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the House, as Accounting
and Corporate Officers, have responsibility for approving final business cases for
security projects across the Parliamentary Estate, subject to advice from the Finance
Directors and other relevant officials. The Clerk of the Parliaments’ decisions on
security projects are informed by consultation with the House of Lords Commission,
which ensures that the impact on Members is taken into account, and by the Finance
Committee which receives regular reports regarding security expenditure. The Clerk
of the House is informed by the equivalent groups and individuals in the House of
Commons. Ultimately it is not the House that makes the final decision because security
is a bicameral issue, and legal responsibility for safety sits with the Clerk of the
Parliaments and Clerk of the House.<br></p>
|
|