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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/09/replacement-commons-chamber-approved-in-response-to-terror-threat
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Replacement Commons chamber 'approved' in response to terror threat | Replacement Commons chamber 'approved' in response to terror threat |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| The parliamentary authorities have given initial approval for the construction of a replacement House of Commons chamber in case the original is destroyed by fire or a terrorist attack. | The parliamentary authorities have given initial approval for the construction of a replacement House of Commons chamber in case the original is destroyed by fire or a terrorist attack. |
| The Commons Commission, which oversees maintenance of the Palace of Westminster, has signed off “in principle” building an alternative as a contingency measure. | The Commons Commission, which oversees maintenance of the Palace of Westminster, has signed off “in principle” building an alternative as a contingency measure. |
| The new chamber could be located at Richmond House in Whitehall, the former home of the Department of Health. Such a move could cost up to £85m. | The new chamber could be located at Richmond House in Whitehall, the former home of the Department of Health. Such a move could cost up to £85m. |
| The development comes after an apparent escalation in the terror threat after the bombing of Manchester Arena in May and the London tube attack last month. | The development comes after an apparent escalation in the terror threat after the bombing of Manchester Arena in May and the London tube attack last month. |
| A major review of security at parliament was carried out after the Westminster attack in March, when an armed man gained access to the estate, murdering police officer Keith Palmer before being shot dead. | A major review of security at parliament was carried out after the Westminster attack in March, when an armed man gained access to the estate, murdering police officer Keith Palmer before being shot dead. |
| According to minutes of a commission meeting chaired by the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, last month, the cross-party committee “endorsed the principle of the construction of a contingency parliamentary chamber on the northern estate [near the Houses of Parliament] subject to further investigation of time and cost”. | According to minutes of a commission meeting chaired by the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, last month, the cross-party committee “endorsed the principle of the construction of a contingency parliamentary chamber on the northern estate [near the Houses of Parliament] subject to further investigation of time and cost”. |
| The project is now envisaged as a “legacy” of the northern estate refurbishment. | The project is now envisaged as a “legacy” of the northern estate refurbishment. |
| The new chamber could also be used if the multi-billion pound restoration of the palace goes ahead, as the traditional green benches could potentially be out of action for years. | The new chamber could also be used if the multi-billion pound restoration of the palace goes ahead, as the traditional green benches could potentially be out of action for years. |
| The Labour MP Chris Bryant, who headed a cross-party committee on the refurbishment project, insisted this year that a temporary chamber would be “properly impressive” rather than “some cardboard cutout”. | The Labour MP Chris Bryant, who headed a cross-party committee on the refurbishment project, insisted this year that a temporary chamber would be “properly impressive” rather than “some cardboard cutout”. |
| Some MPs have been highly critical of the plans. The Tory MP Shailesh Vara told MailOnline: “I am very concerned as are many other MPs about decisions costing huge sums of taxpayers’ money being taken without proper consultation of parliament. | Some MPs have been highly critical of the plans. The Tory MP Shailesh Vara told MailOnline: “I am very concerned as are many other MPs about decisions costing huge sums of taxpayers’ money being taken without proper consultation of parliament. |
| “Given the recent debates on this subject there is a clear understanding that decisions on alternative chambers, decanting and the like will be taken by parliament, and not one of its committees.” | “Given the recent debates on this subject there is a clear understanding that decisions on alternative chambers, decanting and the like will be taken by parliament, and not one of its committees.” |
| A commission spokeswoman said: “The House of Commons’ main priority is to ensure that the business of government, legislation and scrutiny – particularly in the chamber – is continued in the event of any disruption. | A commission spokeswoman said: “The House of Commons’ main priority is to ensure that the business of government, legislation and scrutiny – particularly in the chamber – is continued in the event of any disruption. |
| “It is good business practice for any organisation to have such arrangements in place.” | “It is good business practice for any organisation to have such arrangements in place.” |
| The cost of the works to the Elizabeth Tower, which will mean Big Ben falling silent for years – have risen from less than £30m to around £60m. | The cost of the works to the Elizabeth Tower, which will mean Big Ben falling silent for years – have risen from less than £30m to around £60m. |
| House of Commons | House of Commons |
| UK security and counter-terrorism | UK security and counter-terrorism |
| Counter-terrorism policy | Counter-terrorism policy |
| news | news |
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