§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now give any estimate of the finishing date of the arbitration between the Greater Glasgow health board and Costains Ltd. over the extension to the hospital for sick children at Yorkhill, Glasgow.
§ Mr. RifkindThe 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 what sum was spent in 1984–85 and what sum is provided for 1985–86 and for 1986–87 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 the extension to the building constructed by Richard Costain (Construction) Ltd.
§ Mr. Rifkind£106,204 was spent in 1984–85. It is estimated that the total for 1985–86 will be £146,500. No further expenditure is expected.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the current three-year lease on accommodation at Amicable House, 71 George street, in connection with the 196W arbitration between the Greater Glasgow health board and Costains, is being renewed by central legal services; and if he will detail the rent and rates paid during this lease by the parties to the arbitration.
§ Mr. RifkindIt is intended to renew the lease for a further period. The cost of rents and rates, shared equally by the parties to the arbitration are:
Rent Rates £ £ 1983–84 3,570 2,575 1984–85 8,000 5,355 1985–86 8,000 6,175
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many days the present arbitrator has sat re-hearing evidence first led before Mr. K. Cameron, QC before his appointment as Lord Advocate in connection with the dispute between the Greater Glasgow health board and Costains over the extension to the sick children's hospital at Yorkhill, Glasgow.
§ Mr. RifkindFour.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what sum was spent in 1984–85 and what provision has been made for 1985–86 and 1986–87 in respect of central 197W 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. Rifkind£218,341 was spent in 1984–85. The allocation made to the Common Services Agency for the current financial year includes £502,000 for costs which might arise in connection with the arbitration. An allocation in respect of 1986–87 will be made shortly in the light of requirements.
Three 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 on how many days the arbiter has sat in connection with the dispute between Richard Costain (Construction) Ltd. and the Greater Glasgow health board over the extension to the sick children's hospital, Glasgow since the first procedural hearing in May 1980; and on how many of these days evidence was taken.
§ Mr. RifkindThe number of days is 137, on 114 of which evidence was taken.
§ 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 Ltd. arising from work carried out on the hospital for sick children at Yorkhill, Glasgow.
§ Mr. RifkindSince the arbiter is considering the issues of liability and damage arising between the Greater Glasgow health board and Costains and these matters may in that sense be consideredsub judice, it would be inappropriate for me to comment.