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The provision of collateral warranties was not a condition of the contract with EMBT/RMJM and, therefore, such warranties have never been sought or provided.

The detailed specifications of the new Scottish Parliament building conform to Cabinet Office guidelines for a public building of this type. These guidelines, drawn up by the security services, have not changed. Heightened awareness of security issues following recent world events has made it necessary for all those responsible for applying the guidelines to follow them particularly stringently. A number of complex components of the building have been re-designed in order to satisfy the existing guidelines and in some cases it has been only possible to prove compliance conclusively through carrying out blast tests.

The detailed specifications of the new Scottish Parliament building conform to Cabinet Office guidelines for a public building of this type. These guidelines, drawn up by the security services, have not changed. Heightened awareness of security issues following recent world events has made it necessary for all those responsible for applying the guidelines to follow them particularly stringently. A number of complex components of the building have been re-designed in order to satisfy the existing guidelines and in some cases it has been only possible to prove compliance conclusively through carrying out blast tests.

Only one trade contract has been terminated before completion of works since the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) took responsibility for the Holyrood Project. The contractor concerned was Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, who were appointed on 26 January 2001 to undertake the MSP Building Cladding Trade Package. A notice of intention to terminate the contract was issued to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd on 26 September 2001 on the grounds of breach of contract. The initial contract value was £7,157,281.29. A total of £854,067 was paid to the company for work undertaken. The SPCB does not consider that any further payments are due to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.

Landscaping design was included in the design competition for the new Scottish Parliament building, which was won by EMBT/RMJM Limited in July 1998. The advertisement for the competition for the Architectural Design Team appeared in the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC) in February 1998 and invitations to tender were issued to short listed candidates in June 1998.

Since the Parliament assumed responsibility for the Holyrood Project in June 1999, there have been a number of changes to the security section in the Scottish Parliament Building User Brief. For obvious security reasons, details of revisions to that section are treated on a confidential basis, and the information cannot, therefore, be provided as requested. All have had the aim of improving the protection the building offers, however, and enhancing the safety of members, staff and visitors to the Parliament. In particular, changes to the design specification, as supported by the various professional consultants to the project, take advantage of the latest security advice on the practical application of existing guidelines.

I understand that an abbreviated version of the April 1998 version of the Parliament Building User Brief appeared on the Scottish Office Devolution website prior to the project transferring to the Parliament in June 1999. A section on general security issues was contained in that document which covered the security arrangements expected in the building. After reconsideration of the current security implications, I am of the view that no security information about the building should be made more generally accessible than absolutely necessary. I therefore cannot recommend that a copy of that information be placed in Scottish Parliament Information Centre. The Holyrood Project Team can make arrangements for individual members, with legitimate interests, to view the User Brief if required.

The mechanical and electrical element of the design of the new Scottish Parliament building was part of the design competition, which was won by EMBT/RMJM Limited in July 1998. The advertisement for the competition for the Architectural Design Team was placed in the Official Journal of the European Community (OJEC) in February 1998 and shortlisted candidates were required to come forward with a proposed team, including mechanical and electrical engineers.

Yes.

The post of Planning Supervisor for the new Scottish Parliament building project was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community (OJEC) on 11 February 1998. An appointment was made on 25 June 1998.