§ Lord Strathclydeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Lord Chancellor has discussed with representatives of the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, the Lord Chief Justice and the senior judiciary criteria for the size, security and configuration of the Supreme Court building; and, if so, what conclusions they have reached. [HL796]
§ The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)I have consulted with representatives of the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary over their requirements for the new Supreme Court. Any views expressed by the senior judiciary during the consultation period and since have also been taken into account.
In broad terms, the new building for the Supreme Court will need to provide a secure working environment for judiciary and staff and contain state-of-the-art hearing rooms and ancillary accommodation and facilities. It will also have to provide value for money.
§ Lord Strathclydeasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect a Supreme Court to be created; and when they will publish a business plan setting out the projected total costs of fitting out and managing a Supreme Court building. [HL797]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe Government's intention is for the necessary legislative provision creating the Supreme Court to be in place by the end of this parliamentary session and for those provisions to be brought into force as soon as practicable thereafter.
Estimated costs of the new Supreme Court will be included in the Financial Memorandum to the Constitutional Reform Bill due to be laid before this House on 24 February.
§ Lord Strathclydeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the current estimate of the likely cost of a Supreme Court building. [HL798]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonAs part of the appraisal of the building solutions currently under consideration, we are completing a full Treasury "Green Book" style economic appraisal which evaluates the financial implications of the various options. This will include both a value-for-money and an affordability assessment.
Until this has been completed, it is not possible to provide a reliable indication of cost. Estimated costs will, however, be included in the Financial Memorandum to the Constitutional Reform Bill.