CORPORATE BODY WELCOME AUDITOR’S REPORT ON HOLYROOD PROJECT

Sir David said:

"The Auditor General’s report is a forward looking report which makes a useful and instructive contribution towards ensuring that this historic project is managed to a successful conclusion.

"The report recognises the complexity of the task that lay before us and gives credit for the ‘great deal of work’ already done. Importantly, the Auditor General’s report affirms that the Scottish Parliament will have a distinctive, high quality building of historic significance, at a cost which he confirms is comparable with other major public buildings. I welcome this endorsement of the project.

"In no sense can it be said that the project was spiralling or haemorrhaging money. While it became apparent that construction costs would rise significantly, the fact of the matter is that only relatively small amounts of money were spent prior to Parliament’s approval of the revised design and budget.

"Only after this endorsement do you start to see major items of expenditure and tender contracts being let. The cost increases can be fully accounted for – as indeed the Auditor General’s report does.

"The Corporate Body inherited a building which required a fundamental redesign. This included a change to the shape of the chamber and significantly more space. This detailed process meant that the final approved design of the Parliament was a significant improvement.

"As soon as our design team had produced a satisfactory revision of the design by March 2000, we asked John Spencely to audit the project. Spencely’s independent assessment endorsed our proposals for a £195 million building, and on that basis we sought Parliament’s approval to proceed.

"Robert Black’s report offers sound, constructive advice on the future management of the Holyrood Project. In particular, we have already accepted his recommendation for independent assessment in the composition of the Holyrood Progress Group. This has been in place since June 2000."