§ 2. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the final cost limit for Huntlyburn hospital was received by his Department from the Borders health board; when he expects to give approval to it; when he expects the contract for construction to be let; when he expects work on site to commence; and what is the target date for completion.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Russell Fairgrieve)My Department received the final cost limit submission on 19 February this year, and wrote approving it on 1 June. The Borders health board hopes to go to tender about 12 months from now. Work on site should start later in 1982 and take about five years to complete.
§ Mr. SteelThe Under-Secretary will appreciate that some of that information has been given since the question was tabled. Is it not true that, because of the 12-month delay that occurred in his Department while the board was required to re-cost the project, the saving has been wiped out by inflation in the meantime?
§ Mr. FairgrieveNo, I cannot accept that, because the delay that took place in my Department when I asked for that re-costing was only three months.