§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the initial budget for converting and fitting out the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall and adjacent buildings as a temporary home for the Scottish Parliament; and what is the latest estimate of the cost. [70210]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 15 February 1999]: The current estimates are:
- Converting the buildings: £4.5 million
- Fitting out (including IT, telecom, security equipment, furniture, office equipment): £3.1 million.
The initial estimate was given in my answer on 12 May 1998, Official Report, column 88, to the right hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley), and included rent and rates. This was a provisional estimate and I made it 776W clear then that it did not include fitting out costs, which were still being assessed. The estimate of building conversion costs at that time was £2m. Full building condition surveys were carried out on the CEC office buildings when the Scottish Office took occupation at the end of November 1998. These surveys revealed that significantly more work would have to be carried out in these building than was previously envisaged. In particular, work was required to ensure that lighting throughout the office buildings complied with current statutory requirements and to improve electrical systems, fire alarms and emergency lighting to meet current building regulations. In addition special services to meet the needs of the Parliament such as IT networks, security measures and provision for broadcasters have had to be provided.
The costs of these items could only be properly assessed once the Scottish Office had occupation of the buildings.
All of these costs will be met from the financial provision made for the establishment of the Parliament in 1998–99 and 1999–2000.
§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of those roadworks made necessary by the siting of the new Scottish Parliament building. [77939]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 26 March 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him earlier today.
§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost in relation to the new Scottish Parliament building of(a) VAT, (b) fees, (c) site purchase, (d) site clearance and preliminary works and (e) road works; and which of these are included in the £50 million cost referred to in his answer of 28 January 1999, to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), Official Report, column 385. [77438]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 24 March 1999]: The figures requested (with the exception of (e)) are shown in the table, along with the estimated construction cost of £50 million (excluding VAT and fees) referred to in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 28 January 1999, Official Report, columns 385–86.
Cost estimate £ million Site Purchase 4 Site Preparation 1 Construction 50 Fees 10.5 VAT on construction and fees 10.6 The figures shown are estimates and subject to review in the light of the development of the detailed design for the building and, in due course, of the results of the competitive procurement of works packages. The costs for item (e) will be estimated once the proposals for the surrounding area have been developed further.