The Scottish parliament is set to admit that the cost of the Holyrood parliament building will break the 拢195m cap set in April last year.
A Conservative motion this week called for the cap to remain and parliament insiders claim that the resulting debate will force the excess costs to be revealed.

One insider told 好色先生TV that the Enric Miralles-designed project is over-budget as a result of excess tender offers and inflation. They said: "Tenders for the superstructure and cladding contract have come in above our cost requirements. Couple this with the effects of inflation and it will send the project past the 拢195m price cap."

The parliament's corporate body, the board legally responsible for the project, will now seek MSPs' approval for extra funds in addition to the 拢195m.

Scottish Conservative leader David McLetchie said any increase in the budget for the new parliament building was a "sick joke" at the taxpayers' expense.

He said: "I hope that the Scottish parliament will give short shrift to this third demand for yet more taxpayers' money to lavish on the new Scottish parliament building.

"It is absurd to suggest that a suitable building cannot be produced within a budget of 拢195m." The cost of the Holyrood building rose from an original quote of 拢40m to 拢230m before the new target of 拢195m was fixed last year.

Author David Black, who has spent three years researching the project, has estimated that the cost could eventually escalate to 拢300m. Black has also warned that MSPs might not be able to move into the building until after the 2003 elections.

A Scottish parliament spokesperson said Black's claims were "inaccurate".