Commentary on provisions of the Act Section 7: Parliamentary approval for works and funding
Section 7 provides that the Sponsor Body must seek approval by resolution of each House of Parliament, firstly, for the Delivery Authority’s proposals under Section 3(4)(a) in respect of the design, cost and timing of the Palace restoration works; and, secondly, for the phase two cost of the Parliamentary building works from the time Parliamentary approval is obtained.
	Other than preparatory works, no substantive Palace restoration works may be carried out before such Parliamentary approval has been obtained. Preparatory works are likely to include matters such as preliminary design work.
	If Parliamentary approval is given, "phase two" will begin. The approval resolution will specify the overall funding limit in respect of all of the phase two Parliamentary building works. "Phase one" is defined in Schedule 4 (see paragraph 87) as the period from when any provision of section 1 comes into force until the approval resolution. "Phase two" is the period running from Parliamentary approval until completion of the Parliamentary building works.
	Subsection (4) provides that the Sponsor Body must seek further Parliamentary approval in two instances. First, before the Sponsor Body proceeds with proposals (formulated by the Delivery Authority) in relation to the Palace restoration works which it considers would significantly affect the design or timing of those already approved. Second, where the Sponsor Body considers that the amount of funding Parliament has already approved in relation to phase two is insufficient.