As announced in the written ministerial statement of 17 October 2006, Official Report, columns 45-46WS, by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Bridget Prentice), the Supreme Court Implementation Programme is on target to deliver the Supreme Court at Middlesex Guildhall in time for the start of the legal year in October 2009.
On 7 September 2006 Westminster City Council (WCC) resolved to grant planning and listed building consent. We are currently working with English Heritage and WCC on final legal agreements. We have appointed Kier Group plc as our preferred bidder and we are in commercial discussions with it prior to agreeing the final contract. We expect to reach financial close with Kier Group early next year at which time I shall give another update to the House.