§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the backlog of building repair and maintenance work at universities. [30356]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 27 June 1995]: Condition surveys of accommodation of the higher education institutions in Scotland conducted in 1992–93 identified some £280 million of expenditure, including building repair and maintenance, which would be required to bring the buildings up to a standard compatible with their original use and value. Decisions on the urgency and priority of work are a matter for individual institutions to determine in the light of their changing needs and resources.
The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has contributed an additional £16 million over the past two years towards the cost of essential health and safety work in institutions. The amount of building repair and maintenance work funded from other capital and recurrent grants allocated by formula, or from institutions' other sources of income are determined by the institutions themselves. The institutions are expected to contribute to the costs of major building projects which are supported with capital grant to SHEFC.