Mr. Robert Watt:

The two-stage process was decided on because the detailed design was not developed for the project. The plan was to do the enabling works, start phase one and as the contractors would be there, dealing with the reality of the project, they would then finalise the design and move to the guaranteed price. The contracts committee was told the quantities were 95% set at that stage. It was an approximate bill of quantities but it was fairly certain, at 95%. That is really the issue, as the Deputy identified. To go to a two-stage process and to commit to significant spending when there is uncertainty about the final outcome is not appropriate. However, we were told that the bill of quantities was well established. As I see it, there is an issue about how that happened. I cannot talk about it because I was not involved. It is for those who were involved to explain what happened there but clearly, it is risky for the State and that is why we have set out that we will-----