Water poured in by the ceiling of the Home of Commons this afternoon on account of a defective air con unit, which means enterprise needed to be suspended.
Buckets have been catching drips across the well-known inexperienced benches, with a clean-up operation below manner amid efforts to maintain the central desk dry with protecting coverings.
The climate in Westminster was very heat and dry with a lot of the UK at present experiencing a heatwave, so it was initially unclear what may very well be inflicting the leak.
The Commons’ official Twitter account stated the sitting may go forward from 3.30pm after an hour’s delay.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle insisted it was secure for the sitting to start out, telling MPs: ‘Because the Home will probably be conscious we've began our proceedings an hour late immediately due to the leak of some water into the chamber from the air-conditioning unit. The air-conditioning unit just isn't the one for the chamber however from an workplace close by.
‘I’ve been assured that it’s secure for us to sit down within the chamber.’
Sir Lindsay stated not one of the scheduled debates will probably be curtailed as all of them have protected time.
Moist patches may very well be seen on the carpet close to the Authorities despatch field and the SNP frontbench.
Work and pensions minister David Rutley joked: ‘Regardless of what’s occurred immediately our spirits won't be dampened, I’m positive the chamber will probably be in full stream earlier than we all know it.’
Tory MP Michael Fabricant earlier tweeted – alongside a number of water droplet emojis – ‘Water leak in Home of Commons Chamber. Sitting and Democracy suspended till additional discover.’
Labour MP Emma Hardy, who briefly walked into the Commons chamber earlier than being turned away, stated the leak seems to be ‘simply in entrance of the despatch field’.
The MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle stated: ‘I've simply walked by and there are lots of people working, round six or seven.
‘A number of blankets on the ground and a machine, which I’m not fairly positive what's doing.
‘It (the leak) is simply in entrance of the despatch field, however the roof appears to be like tremendous.’
Ms Hardy stated she has been informed the difficulty ought to be resolved ‘as shortly as doable’.
In the meantime, Commons Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans joked: ‘Any person has simply
stated to me that is one leak the place we don’t want an inquiry.’
A Home of Commons spokesman stated: ‘We're conscious of a water leak on the property and are taking pressing motion to resolve it.’
They later added: ‘Because of a water leak within the Home of Commons Chamber, the beginning of enterprise was delayed.
‘Upkeep employees took motion to resolve the state of affairs, and the Home is anticipated to sit down from 3.30pm’.
A message on the annunciator displays in Parliament acknowledged: ‘At this time’s sitting is delayed on account of a water leak within the chamber. Revised sitting time to be introduced.’
The Home of Commons was scheduled to start out at 2.30pm with prayers adopted by work and pensions questions.
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