HC Deb 01 March 1938 vol 332 cc999-1000

Motion made, and Question proposed; That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £7,350, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1938, for Expenditure in respect of Miscellaneous Legal Buildings, including the whole additional cost of a new Sheriff Court House at Edinburgh.

7.50 p.m.

Mr. Mathers

May we have some information from the Minister about increasing the Estimates for the provision of the new Sheriff Court House in Edinburgh? In connection with the Estimate we have just passed we heard that certain work on the National Library of Scotland had not been proceeded with, but it would appear from this Vote, with regard to the Sheriff Court House in Edinburgh, that the work has gone ahead more rapidly than was anticipated, or that the cost has been increased through some cause or other. In view of the fact that the greater part of this Vote is made up of the Item in respect of the new Sheriff Court House in Edinburgh, we are entitled to ask for some indication from the Minister as to what has brought about the increased amount of £6,350.

Sir P. Sassoon

The new Sheriff Court House in Edinburgh was completed in October of last year. It was three months late because very bad weather was experienced. As a result, the work had to be extended over that period and the increased expenditure was £6,350.

Resolved, That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £7,350, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1938 for expenditure in respect of Miscellaneous Legal Buildings, including the whole additional cost of a new Sheriff Court House at Edinburgh.