Chamber
Plenary, 01 Mar 2007
01 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Schools (Western Isles)
General Questions
Is the minister aware that the extra costs of 2.5 per cent over the contract term, as projected by Audit Scotland, mean that the four new primary schools and the new Nicolson institute will cost £30 million more than the original £40 million capital contract costs under PPP? That is enough to build a new Nicolson institute twice over. Does the minister really think that PPP is value for money? Is it not about time that we had a Scottish futures trust to build schools for pupils in Scotland?
In the same item of business
5. Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab):
Lab
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an update on the public-private partnership scheme for schools in the Western Isles. (S2O-12236)
The Minister for Education and Young People (Hugh Henry):
Lab
Western Isles Council is responsible for taking the matter forward. I understand that it is in dialogue with bidders and that it aims to reach a decision on ...
Mr Morrison:
Lab
As everyone knows, our Administration is committed to building new schools. Our record of investment in the past decade speaks for itself and tens of million...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
I will certainly keep a dialogue going with Western Isles Council. Indeed, I will be in the Western Isles shortly to meet not only council officials but teac...
Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
Is the minister aware that the extra costs of 2.5 per cent over the contract term, as projected by Audit Scotland, mean that the four new primary schools and...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
I do think that we are providing value for money. Fiona Hyslop's analysis of the figures is wrong. I invite her, yet again, to tell us very clearly how the S...
The Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
NPA
Before we start questions to the First Minister, members will wish to welcome the ambassador of Germany, His Excellency Wolfgang Ischinger and the President ...