HC Deb 04 July 1979 vol 969 cc1367-8
16. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his future plans for the Royal high school building in Edinburgh.

Mr. Rifkind

My right hon. Friend will await the conclusions of the inter-party talks about the government of Scotland before making a decision about future use of the Royal high school building.

Mr. Knox

How much public money was spent by the Labour Government in preparing this building for the proposed Scottish Assembly, and how much has been spent on it since 3 May?

Mr. Rifkind

About £3.2 million has been spent so far on providing accommodation for this building. Further expenditure will be required to complete contracts entered into before the referendum by the previous Government. The total estimated cost was £3.75 million. However, we hope to achieve a saving on that sum by, for example, the diversion of furniture to other uses.

Mr. Russell Johnston

Have the Government made any contingency plans for alternative use?

Mr. Rifkind

It would be inappropriate to consider alternative uses until the completion of the inter-party talks, in which the hon. Gentleman is involved.

Mr. Allan Stewart

Does my hon. Friend agree that this building might be sold to private enterprise, which could conceivably put it to productive use?

Mr. Rifkind

Any question of the long-term use of the building must await the completion of the talks.