§ 39 and 40. Mr. Colegateasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning (1) whether, when the replanning of London is under consideration, he is prepared to take steps to preserve the Covent Garden Opera House for use as an opera house, and to provide it with properly-planned approaches;
(2) whether he is taking steps to see that a suitable site is provided for the proposed national theatre in London?
§ The Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. W. S. Morrison)It will be for the local planning authority, in the first instance, to consider for what purposes land should be allocated and how existing buildings should be dealt with. Perhaps my hon. Friend will bring his suggestions to their notice.
§ Mr. ColegateAre we to understand that the Minister is not going to give any direction at all to local authorities where buildings or sites of national importance are concerned?
§ Mr. MorrisonWe shall watch what is done by the local authorities, but I think that they have the point in which my hon. Friend is interested well under consideration at present.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesWill the right hon. Gentleman, in giving consideration to the Covent Garden Opera House proposal, bear in mind this is very nearly the only country in Europe which has not subsidised grand opera?
§ Mr. MorrisonI will bear that point in mind.