Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency

2006 press releases

Keeping MPs dry costs the earth

Local MP, Norman Baker, yesterday revealed that, although the House of Commons energy efficiency budget has been slashed by 40%, the better part of half a million pounds has been spent on a short stretch of rain-cover to keep MPs dry when they walk between offices.

The £435,000 cost of the new rain-cover, which shields a walkway on one of the parliamentary estate's outdoor courts, was revealed in an answer to Mr Baker's parliamentary question yesterday on the floor of the Commons and met by gasps of horror from other MPs. The sum was explained by the House of Commons Commission's spokesperson as being the result of obligatory consultations with English Heritage and Westminster City Council which had led to the project's costs being more than anticipated.

Mr Baker's 'How Green Is Your Parliament?' report reveals that despite this generous sum being made available for a rain-cover, the House of Commons energy efficiency budget has been reduced by 40% since 1997 despite the fact that electricity consumption has risen by 45% in the same period.

Commenting on the situation Norman Baker said:

"This is a grotesque sum of money to spend on such a feature. While nearly half a million pounds was thrown away on that absurdity, the energy efficiency budget for the House has been cut by 40% since 1997 while electricity consumption has risen by 45%. Is it not time that some sanity, common sense and clarity was brought to the House of Commons Commission?

"It is pathetic to spend this amount on a 'canopy' which should have cost £5000 and is not needed in any case. It seems that with a bottomless pit of taxpayers' money available, financial acumen seems unimportant for the House authorities."

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