Oral Answers to Questions — House of Commons Commission – in the House of Commons at 9:30 am on 6 February 2014.
Philip Hollobone
Conservative, Kettering
9:30,
6 February 2014
What steps the Commission is taking to reduce heating bills on the parliamentary estate.
John Thurso
Chair, Finance and Services Committee, Chair, Finance and Services Committee
This is a timely question, as a campaign has recently been launched to encourage all users of the estate, including hon. Members, to reduce energy use. All new estate projects are assessed for opportunities to improve energy efficiency in the Palace. Improvements are being made to temperature control and the efficiency of heating systems. There has been a successful pilot of roof insulation and a programme to refurbish windows is under way. Thermostatic radiator valves and occupancy sensors that shut down after a set period have been fitted in a number of areas across the estate.
Philip Hollobone
Conservative, Kettering
We must all put up our hands and admit to our individual responsibility for contributing to the hot air generated in this place, but will the House of Commons Commission undertake a study of the financial savings for each degree that the thermostat was turned down?
John Thurso
Chair, Finance and Services Committee, Chair, Finance and Services Committee
My hon. Friend makes a very sensible suggestion, which I will certainly take away and find out the answer to, and do my utmost to implement it.
Kevin Brennan
Shadow Minister (Education)
Is it especially expensive to heat the Terrace marquee? I recently received a letter from a constituent about an event that I had agreed to sponsor for the Westminster Education Forum, which showed that it was charging people £45 plus VAT for the privilege of attending an event at this House of Commons. Is that acceptable, and is that a direct consequence of the current efforts to turn this place into a convention centre?
John Thurso
Chair, Finance and Services Committee, Chair, Finance and Services Committee
The hon. Gentleman asks about the heating in the Terrace marquee. I do not have an answer to hand; if I may, I will write to him with the correct answer.
John Bercow
Chair, Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, Speaker of the House of Commons, Speaker of the House of Commons, Chair, Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
James Wharton. Not here. Where is he?
