§ Lord KILBRANDONasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have given instructions for the suspension of the work on the 1336WA alterations to the premises formerly occupied by the Royal High School of Edinburgh; if so when they expect the work to start again, and whether the Government are seriously considering any use to which the altered premises might be put other than as accommodation for a Scottish Assembly.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (Lord Kirkhill)Following the Statement by my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor on 24th February, Her Majesty's Government decided that the work on converting the premises formerly occupied by the Royal High School of Edinburgh for use by the Scottish Assembly should proceed to a stage which ensures the preservation of what are outstanding listed buildings and which enables them to be made ready reasonably quickly for meetings of the Assembly. This decision was announced by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland in another place on 7th April. It is expected that the work necessary to bring the buildings to this stage will be completed early in 1978. The Lord Chancellor indicated on 14th June that it is the objective of Her Majesty's Government that legislation on devolution should be enacted next Session. The question of the use to which the altered premises might be put, other than as accommodation for the Scottish Assembly, does not therefore arise.
House adjourned at twenty-two minutes before nine o'clock.