Written questions, answers and statements

Historic Royal Palace: Coronavirus

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Question for Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

UIN 57255, tabled on 9 June 2020

Question

Chris Stephens
Scottish National Party
Glasgow South West
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions officials in his Department have had with representatives from trade unions on proposals for reopening (a) Hampton Court Palace, (b) Hillsborough Castle and (c) other Historic Royal Palaces sites on 16 June 2020 following the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will publish the risk assessments undertaken at those sites.

Answer

Nigel Huddleston
Conservative
Mid Worcestershire
Commons

Answered on

15 June 2020

DCMS officials have had no such discussions with representatives of trade unions on Historic Royal Palaces' (HRP) proposals for the reopening of the specific sites in their care, nor are DCMS officials in possession of the risk assessments referred to. Trade Union representatives have, however, been attending the Heritage Working Group which has discussed guidance for safe reopening within the heritage sector. Whether HRP can safely reopen is a matter for HRP to consider in-line with government and Public Health England guidelines.

Answered by

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
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