HC Deb 27 January 1998 vol 305 cc174-5W
Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds the option to house the Scottish Parliament in a separate new building in the Calton Hill, Regent Road area of Edinburgh was rejected. [24947]

Mr. McLeish

Housing the entire Parliament in a separate new building in the Regent Road area was not considered to be a realistic option. A proposal was put forward which would have involved the construction of a new debating chamber on Regent Road, but it was considered to be less suitable in terms of operational efficiency and less acceptable in terms of visual impact than housing the entire Parliament complex within the curtilage of St. Andrews House.

Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration was given to the area around New Street, Edinburgh, as a possible site for the Scottish Parliament. [24949]

Mr. McLeish

The area around New Street, in particular the former bus garage, was considered but rejected as being less suitable than the sites which were subsequently shortlisted.

Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the Scottish Office was informed by Scottish and Newcastle that the Holyrood site would be available for the Scottish Parliament. [24950]

Mr. McLeish

Agents acting for Scottish and Newcastle PLC first approached The Scottish Office in October 1997 about the possibility of the Holyrood site being considered. Following detailed discussions with the agents and the company to establish, in particular, when the site was likely to become available my right hon. Friend announced in December that Holyrood had been added to the shortlist of sites under consideration.

Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the plans for the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood involve the closure to vehicular traffic of(a) Holyrood Road and (b) Horse Wynd. [24948]

Mr. McLeish

The Scottish Office and The City of Edinburgh Council are committed to developing arrangements for improving traffic management around the Holyrood site to create a pedestrian-friendly environment. Proposals will be developed and implemented in time for the completion of the Parliament building.