§ 28. Mr. LEVYasked the First Commissioner of Works if any decision has 362 yet been reached on the proposal to re-house a number of the Departments under one roof in Whitehall?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. LEVYWill my right hon. Friend press on with this scheme as a measure of economy and a source of employment in the building industry?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am glad the hon. Gentleman put the first supplementary question first. I am at this moment going into the question as to whether an economical scheme can be worked out, assuming that we accept the decision of Parliament that the original scheme cannot proceed, and that we cannot have all the land originally contemplated; and I am examining the question as to whether effective economies can be made by proceeding with a modified scheme.
§ Mr. LANSBURYBefore arriving at that decision, will the right hon. Gentleman put the case again to this House? Is he aware that it was only a committee, I think a Joint Committee, that reported, but it was not a unanimous decision, and that there is weighty opinion against the decision of that committee? I am only asking if the right hon. Gentleman will reconsider the whole question without settling for good and all that the site should not be entirely used?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORESince the committee advised against building over any of the open spaces by the Embankment, so far as I can gather public opinion in this country has grown against building over any grass or open spaces in London, and I think a reconsideration of that point might lead us into even further difficulties and delays before we could get the matter considered on its merits.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that an open space in Whitehall would be preserved, and that it is only a question of a choice of open spaces?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt is a question of the building line towards the Thames.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSWould not the problem be solved entirely if my right hon. Friend's colleagues employed fewer people?