§ 2. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his latest discussions with Edinburgh Corporation on the financial arrangements for the new Opera House.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Gordon Campbell)I have written to Edinburgh Corporation outlining the circumstances in which I would be prepared to make a formal offer of grant towards the capital cost of a project on the lines of that described in the revised summary brief which it sent me.
§ Mr. DalyellHow is it proposed to set about choosing a design team for the new Opera House?
§ Mr. CampbellThat is a matter for Edinburgh Corporation. As regards the letter that I have written to the corporation outlining the Government's latest position, because the reports in the Press today were necessarily abbreviated and could be misleading on some of the points I am arranging for the full text of the Department's letter to be made available in the Library.
§ Mr. Ronald King MurrayI welcome this move, but what time scale has the right hon. Gentleman in mind? Is there a limit or any period during which the grant must be or may be payable?
§ Mr. CampbellMy main concern is that the work should start as soon as possible, consistent with good design.