Parliamentary Estate: Access
The question
To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether any assessment has been made as to the potential impact of changes to the Parliamentary Security Directorate's budget on average queue length times at the public entrance at (a) Portcullis House and (b) Cromwell Green.
Answered by Nick Smith
Both the security and efficiency of search and screening for visitors sit at the core of the Parliamentary Security Department’s (PSD’s) responsibility to keep Parliament safe, secure and open for business. Visitors are advised to allow 30 minutes to pass through search and screening (45 minutes at busier times, like Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons).
Budgets for 2026–27 and the following two years are currently being finalised, and work is under way to realise the savings which have been submitted by PSD as part of the House of Commons Savings and Improvements Programme. These proposals will not affect the levels of resourcing at search points or increase waiting times for visitors at Portcullis House and Cromwell Green or in any way compromise security. PSD is actively exploring technology which would both accelerate security screening of visitors and improve security assurance.
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