There is a substantial risk that the Palace of Westminster building will be destroyed by a “catastrophic” event before it is fully restored.

The Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, the body in charge of the restoration of the Palace of Westminster, has opened a market consultation to gather the views of companies interested in being involved in the project.

The Parliament restoration programme has launched a nationwide hunt for specialist surveyors to develop the most detailed record of the Palace of Westminster ever created, as part of an £80m, four-year framework.