§ Sir Nicholas FairbairnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of the Cowgate extension of Parliament house; what proportion of the: space provided is for courts; and what proportion is accommodation and offices for officials.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe estimated cost of the Cowgate extension is approximately £14 million. The extension, which has been designed to facilitate the more effective use of accommodation in Parliament house and to make provision there for work of the supreme courts which at present is undertaken in out-housed accommodation, will provide court accommodation (11 per cent.), office accommodation for officials of the supreme courts (44 per cent.), and general services and ancillary accommodation (45 per cent.).