Construction is underway to build MPs a new parking lot at the House of Assembly.

Fifty-eight people are allowed to use 52 spaces at the House of Assembly, at No. 21, Parliament Street, but this does not include Prison staff bringing inmates to Supreme Court, for which the building is also used.

Chairwoman of the cross-party House and Grounds Committee Dame Jennifer Smith announced in the House of Assembly in 2004 that Members of Parliament (MPs) will be given their own designated parking spaces and clearly identifiable badges to eliminate security hold-ups at Parliament Street as guards check legislators? registration numbers.

This will allow MPs who are driving friends? cars or those loaned from garages to park in their designated spot, she said.

MPs Derrick Burgess and Wayne Perinchief confirmed yesterday that the new parking lot was for the use of politicians.

Dame Jennifer was unable to be reached for comment yesterday, however, Head Court Officer Tracy Kelly confirmed the construction had nothing to do with Magistrates? Court.

?It is a parking lot for the House of Assembly,? Mr. Kelly said. ?That?s their project not ours.?

The House of Assembly made an application to the Planning Department for a parking lot in November, 2004.

The new lot will increase the number of parking spaces from 52 to 67.

Installations of an elevator by the entrance to Supreme Court have yet to begin.

Dame Jennifer recently said a wall at the House will be removed as would part of an embankment near the entrance to Supreme Court One in order to provide disabled parking spaces close to the elevator entrance.

The elevator shaft will be installed inside one of the already existing columns, she said, and the historical facade of the building was not going to be altered.

?We also want to provide parking right next to the elevator so they can come right up,? she said.