Parliamentary News Release

040/2003

Thursday 5 June 2003

FURTHER HOLYROOD COSTS: REID “FURIOUS AND DISMAYED”

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body tonight received a report that the cost of the Holyrood project could rise by a further £37m taking the total projected cost to £375m including the landscaping costs.

The Presiding Officer George Reid said:

“I am furious and dismayed at this latest report, especially in view of the assurances given to the Corporate Body only four months ago that the estimated completion costs were £338m.

“I share the anger and frustration which MSPs and the Scottish people will understandably have at news like this coming out of the blue.

“All the key members of the design and construction team have been summoned to a meeting with the Corporate Body on Tuesday.

“I have demanded a full breakdown of the reported costs and the current programme. There are questions which require immediate answer including why our professional advisers failed to spot, and report the increase sooner.

“The Corporate Body has agreed that, after Tuesday’s meeting, we shall write to the Finance Committee with a full report on the latest position.

“I shall, of course, make that letter public.”

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Eric MacLeod: 0131 348 5389
email: eric.macleod@scottish.parliament.uk

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