Recommendation 19

We also questioned the House administrations’ protocols on how they to responded to safety incidents during works.46 On 19 November 2021, contractors working in the Speaker’s private apartments identified a release of asbestos between 23 October and 27 October 2021.47 We heard that, although the site was immediately closed when the incident was identified and staff directly working on the site were informed, staff who may have come into contact with asbestos were not informed until February 2022.48 The Clerk of the House of Commons became aware of the incident on 10 December 2021 but told us it then appeared less serious with indications three staff were potentially affected. The House administrations now believe this to be 117 staff.49