To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost has been of the modernisation of the lift system within the 1 Parliament Street building; how long this work has been running; and when he expects work to be completed. (128778)

The modernisation of the lifts in 1 Parliament Street has cost £337,000.

The work commenced in August 2006 and is due for completion in September 2007.

The lifts have been upgraded to accommodate an evacuation lift to comply with the Disability Discrimination Acts and refurbished in line with the lift refurbishment programme. This project was planned over two summer recesses to ensure continual availability of lifts during the refurbishment programme.