§ 61. Mr. HOWARDasked the Minister of Transport if he will state what communications have passed between his Department and the City Corporation relative to the widening of Princes Street during the rebuilding of the Bank of England; what has been the result; and whether there is any prospect of the Princes Street frontage being set back at least 6 feet?
Mr. STANLEYThe possibility of securing the widening of Princes Street was discussed between my Department 923 and the City Corporation some years ago, but having regard to the cost involved the authorities concerned were unable to proceed with the scheme. The discussions led to agreement as to the widening at the corner of Mansion House Street and Princes Street, which has been completed. In addition, the Bank of England have agreed to construct a footpath at the back of the Temple at the Lothbury-Princes Street corner. I do not think there is any prospect of the Princes Street frontage being set back for many years, having regard to the building work already completed.
§ Mr. HOWARDWould it not be possible to bring some moral pressure to bear upon the Governors of the Bank of England and ask them as a matter of grace whether they could not set back this pavement 6 feet, seeing that future generations will be considerably impeded, from the traffic point of view, if this building is erected as is proposed?
Mr. STANLEYIn view of the fact that they have just completed the rebuilding of the Bank of England, I am afraid that moral pressure would not be of much avail.