§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the communications from Langdon's, cost consultants, on the costs of a Scottish Parliament.[46027]
138W
§ Mr. McLeish[holding answer 15 June 1998]: Davis Langdon Everest have been retained by the Scottish Office as cost consultants for the Scottish Parliament Building. Their current advice relates to the estimated construction costs of the different design approaches to the building and is commercially confidential since the construction of the preferred design for the building will in due course be the subject of a competitive tendering exercise. In these circumstances, it would be inappropriate to make details of that advice available in the Library.
§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received regarding the extent of the powers of the Scottish Parliament to give policy and direction to National Lottery distributors in Scotland; [45842]
(2) what consultation he is undertaking in relation to the scope the Scottish Parliament will have to set policy and direction for National Lottery distributors in Scotland; [45981]
139W(3) to which National Lottery distributors in Scotland the Scottish Parliament will have powers to give policy and financial direction. [45982]
§ Mr. GalbraithThe Scottish Office has received one representation on this subject, which was also discussed during the Committee Stage of the National Lottery Bill in the House of Lords. The powers of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of the Scottish Arts Council and the Scottish Sports Council will transfer to Scottish Ministers on devolution. The Government also recognise that the Scottish Executive will have a strong interest in the activities in Scotland of the National Lottery Charities Board, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the New Opportunities Fund, and intend to provide mechanisms for the Scottish Executive to exercise appropriate powers of direction over these bodies' activities in Scotland. These proposals were set out in a letter of 4 March from Lord McIntosh of Haringey to Lord Fraser of Carmyllie, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. Detailed implementation of the proposals is under discussion: they will be put in place by subordinate legislation to be made under the Scotland Bill.