HC Deb 07 June 1920 vol 130 c41
84. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the President of the Board of Education where Members can obtain particulars of the exact number of private residences, boarding-houses and hotels which are situated on the site behind the British Museum which the Government have offered to the University of London; what is the estimated number of persons who would be displaced if the site were to be cleared; whether any other and, if so, what other sites have been considered by the Government; and will he state when the House will have an opportunity of discussing the matter and when estimates of the cost involved will be available?

83. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the President of the Board of Education why, when he knew that the Foundling Hospital site was available for the new university, no negotiations were opened with that body as well as with the Duke of Bedford?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Fisher)

The Government have considered the possibilities of a number of sites for the University of London, including the Foundling Hospital, a site south of the river, between the new County Hall and Hungerford Bridge, another between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge, and also the feasibility of utilising Somerset House or of effecting an extension of the present University quarters in the Imperial Institute. As I have already stated in this House, the Bedford estate site is, in the opinion of the Government, undoubtedly the best for the purpose, and they did not, therefore, open negotiations for properties which they regarded as less suitable. My letter, offering the site to the Chancellor of the University, and giving a description of it, was published in the Press on 20th May. As the site includes four vacant plots, and as the majority of the leases fall in at different periods after 1923, it would only come into occupation gradually, and it is not, therefore, necessary at this stage to attempt to estimate the number of persons who might eventually be displaced. The House will have an opportunity of discussing the matter when the Estimates for Public Works and Buildings are taken.