HC Deb 15 December 1976 vol 922 cc1499-500
3. Mr. Gardiner

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the plans for converting the Royal High School, Edinburgh, for the proposed Scottish Assembly.

Mr. Harry Ewing

The Royal High School was handed over to the contractor on 10th September, and work is proceeding satisfactorily.

Mr. Gardiner

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the cost of this conversion is proceeding within the latest published estimate for it? To what use do the Government intend to put this splendid building if the Bill should fall?

Mr. Ewing

The Bill is not going to fall. The cost of reconstruction is within the estimate arrived at before the project began.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

What will happen if the first meeting of the Assembly decides that the building is inadequate and that the Assembly should move out to other premises in Edinburgh or elsewhere? Who will then bear the cost of the building, or of any new building?

Mr. Ewing

The hon. Gentleman is posing hypothetical questions, which can only be answered when the Assembly is in being. It is a matter for the Assembly. Perhaps I may use the words of someone much more famous than I, and say that it is better to wait and see.

Mr. Watt

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of conversion can be justified and can be saved if the Government would plump for the independence of Scotland, thus saving expenditure in sending civil servants and hon. Members to this House from Scotland?

Mr. Ewing

Apart from hon. Members belonging to the Scottish National Party and between 18 per cent. and 20 per cent. of the population of Scotland, there is in Scotland no demand for independence or separation.