To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what representations her Department received from private contractors on (a) the refurbishment of Middlesex Guildhall and (b) the construction of a new building to house the new Supreme Court. (134349)

Five developers were involved in the bid process to carry out the renovation of Middlesex Guildhall. In 2004, Land Securities approached the Department with two options for a new build; Fetter Lane (near the Royal Courts of Justice) and Buckingham Gate. Fetter Lane was deemed too large for use as the Supreme Court and was taken up by HMCS. After detailed analysis, Buckingham Gate was ruled out because it offered a much less prestigious location at a higher cost.