asked the First Commissioner of Works the present position of the scheme for the construction of the new Sheriff Court at Edinburgh, and the approximate date for the commencement of building operations?

The contract for the demolition of the buildings on the site to ground level is completed, and a contract has been made for the remaining demolition and the construction of foundations. This work will be commenced immediately.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether he will exercise his influence to accelerate this scheme owing to the special fact that the extension of the National Library cannot be completed until this is done?

I am fully aware of that fact, but there is a real limitation on the degree of expedition which can be insisted upon, with a site like this and a building like this.