To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission on what date the visitors reception building is expected to open; when the building was expected to open at the outset of the project; what the reasons are for the delay; and if he will make a statement. (192534)

The date for full opening of the building will be fixed after trials to test the technical equipment and the handling of visitors have been completed. Some trials have already occurred, and more are taking place at present. The project was originally planned on the basis of an opening date of autumn 2006 but delays were caused by unexpected problems with piling work and with services buried beneath the site, and later by difficulties with the construction of the building itself.