§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision has been made for 1984–85 in respect of 345W Central Legal Services for the arbitration between the Greater Glasgow health board and Costains arising from work on the Sick Children's hospital at Yorkhill, Glasgow; and how many staff in Central Legal Services are engaged in the case.
§ Mr. YoungerThe allocation I have made to the Common Services Agency for the current financial year includes £258,000 for costs likely to arise in connection with the arbitration. Two of the agency's legal staff are engaged on the case. The number of staff supporting them varies from time to time.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what office accommodation and storage space has been leased by Central Legal Services in connection with the arbitration between the Greater Glasgow health board and Richard Costain (Construction) Ltd.; for what length of time; and at what annual cost.
§ Mr. YoungerAccommodation for the arbitration has been leased at Amicable house, 71 George street, Edinburgh. The period of lease is three years from September 1983. The rental costs, shared equally by the parties to the arbitration, are £8,000 per annum.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what sum has been provided in the accounts of the Greater Glasgow health board to cover costs of repairs and remedial work to the Sick Children's hospital, Yorkhill, Glasgow, following on the extension to the building constructed by Richard Costain (Construction) Ltd.
§ Mr. YoungerThe amount identified in the accounts of the Greater Glasgow health board for repairs and remedial work to the Royal hospital for sick children, Glasgow, is £11.3 million (provisional) to the end of financial year 1983–84. The final account for the remedial works has not yet been settled.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give any estimate of the finishing date of the arbitration between the Greater Glasgow health board and Costains over the extension to the hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, Glasgow.
§ Mr. YoungerThe matters under arbitration are extremely complex and many factors may influence the length of time likely to be required. No estimate of a finishing date can prudently be offered at this stage.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it was decided that the dispute between the Greater Glasgow health board and Costains should go to arbitration; and on what date the arbiter first sat in formal session to consider the dispute arising from the extension to the hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, Glasgow.
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§ Mr. YoungerCostains served notice of arbitration on the Greater Glasgow health board in terms of the contract in May 1976. The board served notice of arbitration in response, referring to additional matters, in June 1976. The first procedural hearing before the arbiter was held in May 1980 and the first formal hearing for the purpose of taking evidence was in February 1984.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many days Mr. K. Cameron Q.C., had sat as arbiter in connection with the dispute between the Greater Glasgow health board and Richard Costain (Construction) Ltd. over the extension to the Sick Children's hospital, Yorkhill, Glasgow, before his appointment as Lord Advocate; what was the cost of the arbitration to the Central Legal Services up to that point; and whether the evidence taken will have to be re-heard by the new arbiter when appointed.
§ Mr. YoungerPrior to his appointment as Lord Advocate, my noble and learned Friend sat as arbiter in formal sessions taking evidence for 29 days. It is hoped that the new arbiter will be able to rely on the written transcript of most of the evidence taken to date, but it may be necessary for some evidence to be re-heard, particularly that relating to examination of specimens.
The costs to the NHS of the arbitration are being met in part by the Common Services Agency and in part by the Greater Glasgow health board. It is estimated that the costs to the date specified were of the order of £120,000.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any tender or offer in settlement has been made in connection with the current arbitration between the Greater Glasgow health board and Costains arising from work carried out on the hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow.
§ Mr. YoungerNo.