§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date his Department started looking for a temporary site for the Scottish Parliament; on what date the Strathclyde Region complex was first considered; and on what date it was decided to add it to the short list of sites. [33153]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 6 March 1998]: I announced on 17 October last year my intention to ensure that, if necessary, the Scottish Parliament had available to it adequate interim accommodation. My officials began to gather information on potential interim locations later that month. The Glasgow option was first considered in detail in mid-February this year, after it became clear that there were difficulties in identifying suitable office accommodation for the Parliament's use in Edinburgh. I decided to add the Glasgow option to the short list on 27 February 1998.
§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which sites were assessed as possible temporary homes for the Scottish Parliament. [33154]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 6 March 1998]: A large number of potential interim locations were considered, and of these a smaller number were assessed in detail. These comprised, in Edinburgh, the Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland, the McEwan Hall, the Old Royal High School, the Royal College of Physicians, and St. James' House; in Glasgow, the former Strathclyde Regional Council Chamber; and in Hamilton, the South Lanarkshire Council Chambers. A wide range of office accommodation to support Parliamentary activity was also considered.