§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy that no binding contract for the construction of a new building for the National Assembly of Wales is entered into until after the National Assembly has been elected. [48898]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesNo. The process of procurement of the new building will have several stages, whose nature and timing will depend upon the contract strategy that I adopt. The design competition assessment panel will recommend an appropriate contract strategy together with an outline design in the late Autumn. It will then be necessary to develop the detailed design and seek the appropriate statutory consents. I cannot yet say when the construction contracts will be let.