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The risk of increased construction cost is transferred to the private sector as part of the Private Finance Initiative contract, therefore revenue payments against the agreed contract are fixed by the contract.Any changes in the design of the building, agreed between the trust and their private sector partner since contract close, will result in an increase in the annual revenue cost to the trust. Any such increases are included in the trust's financial plan.

Should the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh be unable to accept patients as planned through any fault of the private sector provider of the facility, the financial penalties that will be incurred are those detailed in the Addendum to the Full Business Case, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17393).

Along with the Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales, the Executive is taking part in discussions with the drug manufacturers to consider a range of options under which drugs for multiple sclerosis might be available on the NHS. One option is a "risk sharing" scheme and until these discussions, which are at an early stage, are concluded detailed information cannot be provided.

All procurement in respect of the new Scottish Parliament building is carried out in accordance with EC public procurement regulations.

I refer Ms MacDonald to my answer to question S1W-20206 today and confirm that information held by the Parliament, relating to specific financial arrangements between the Parliament's contractors and their sub-contractors, is commercially confidential.

I understand that Caithness Stone Industries Ltd have not yet been paid in connection with the MSP building cladding contract. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that this is due to the financial difficulties of the contractor, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, who have now gone into receivership. The matter is now in the hands of the official receiver.

No order has yet been placed for wash basin surrounds within the new Scottish Parliament building. Spittal stone suits the aesthetic requirements of the project however, and is tried and tested in the horizontal plane. I understand, from the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group, that fitness for purpose of the material chosen for wash basin surrounds will need to be demonstrated by the successful contractor.

It is the Executive's aim to act as an exemplar client in its procurement of buildings, whether through Private Finance Initiative or traditional means, and we recognise that good building design is a key to obtaining value for money. The Policy on Architecture commits the Executive to ensuring that design quality is taken into account in the guidance, training and advice made available to Executive clients for construction projects.

I understand that the report referred to in the question was the result of a contract between Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd and STATS Specialist Engineering, Materials and Environmental Consultants. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that payment has not yet been made for this report, which was in connection with the MSP building cladding contract, due to the financial difficulties of the contractor, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, who have now gone into receivership. The matter is now in the hands of the official receiver.

The selection of Spittal stone for cladding the MSP office building, in preference to Weydale stone, was on the grounds that its darker colour suited the aesthetic requirements of the project. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the results of the testing of Spittal stone must remain commercially confidential, as they could potentially impact upon the future business of the supplier concerned.