17 November 2000
The NAO said it would 'examine in detail' how the scheme was planned and built. Portcullis House, which opened in October and houses 210 MPs, came in £80m over budget.
The NAO is likely to investigate the bronze roof that cost £47m, the £2m that went on electric blinds and £150,000 spent on renting 12 ornamental fig trees.
LibDem MP Norman Baker, a long-standing critic of Portcullis House, called for the NAO investigation. He described the building as 'pretty opulent' and said the NAO should examine the 'excessive amount of public money' used on the project to ensure it never happens again.
The NAO said it would begin its review of the costs in 'the next few weeks' and will report to Parliament next summer.
PFnov2000
