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19/06/2003
Probe into huge overspend for Holyrood buildings launched
The First Minister of the Scottish Parliament Jack McConnell has made a statement on the spiralling cost of the parliament building.
Mr McConnell told MSPs today that the independent investigation into the cost of the Holyrood parliament building would produce a full account of the project.
He said that the investigation would get to the “heart of the matter” and provide answers.
The investigative review by Lord Fraser of Carmyllie will include detailed examination of the policy decisions taken both before and after the project was handed over to the Scottish Parliament’s corporate wing in 1999.
Pressure has increased for the investigation following revelations that the estimated completion cost of the building has jumped again to reach an estimated £375 million.
The Scottish First Minister pledged that nothing that the government had done either before or after devolution would be beyond the scope of the investigation.
He said that he considered the escalating costs of the project demanded an immediate initiation of the investigation as it was “overshadowing” the achievements of the parliament.
The investigation spearheaded by Lord Fraser will extend on the report produced by the auditor general into the projects procurement strategy, cost control measures and contractual terms.
Scottish Nationalist Party leader John Swinney, who asked what measures would be put in place to ensure that witnesses appear, was told by Mr McConnell that this would rest with judgment of Lord Fraser.
Responding to questions, Mr McConnell also assured MSPs that no civil servants would be censured for providing evidence to the investigation.
When first proposed in 1997, the Holyrood building cost was projected a estimated £40million, but by early 1998 this had more than doubled to around £90 million.
However, bomb-proofing and construction delays had meant that by late December 2002 the cost of the building was estimated at £325 million.
(SP)
Mr McConnell told MSPs today that the independent investigation into the cost of the Holyrood parliament building would produce a full account of the project.
He said that the investigation would get to the “heart of the matter” and provide answers.
The investigative review by Lord Fraser of Carmyllie will include detailed examination of the policy decisions taken both before and after the project was handed over to the Scottish Parliament’s corporate wing in 1999.
Pressure has increased for the investigation following revelations that the estimated completion cost of the building has jumped again to reach an estimated £375 million.
The Scottish First Minister pledged that nothing that the government had done either before or after devolution would be beyond the scope of the investigation.
He said that he considered the escalating costs of the project demanded an immediate initiation of the investigation as it was “overshadowing” the achievements of the parliament.
The investigation spearheaded by Lord Fraser will extend on the report produced by the auditor general into the projects procurement strategy, cost control measures and contractual terms.
Scottish Nationalist Party leader John Swinney, who asked what measures would be put in place to ensure that witnesses appear, was told by Mr McConnell that this would rest with judgment of Lord Fraser.
Responding to questions, Mr McConnell also assured MSPs that no civil servants would be censured for providing evidence to the investigation.
When first proposed in 1997, the Holyrood building cost was projected a estimated £40million, but by early 1998 this had more than doubled to around £90 million.
However, bomb-proofing and construction delays had meant that by late December 2002 the cost of the building was estimated at £325 million.
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
