To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans are being made to repair the lifts in 1 Parliament Street; and how often all of these lifts have been working simultaneously over the last two years. (144995)

The refurbishment of the suite of three lifts in 1 Parliament Street is being undertaken as a two year programme to ensure that at least one of the lifts is always available. In the first year (2006) one of the lifts was repaired and provisional wiring for the other two took place. During this summer recess the other two lift cars and doors will be renewed and at the end of the recess all three lifts will be in full service.

Other than during the summer recess, all three lifts have been in normal operation except between February and April. During that period, one lift at a time was taken out of operation to improve the controls which enable them to work together. This task was due to be done in the summer recess 2007 but was brought forward in view of complaints from Members. Since April there have been other breakdowns which on one occasion put two of three lifts out of action for one Tuesday afternoon and overnight before they were repaired.