§ 21. Mr. Hugh Lawsonasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he is aware that the plans prepared by the Court of Common Council for the rebuilding of the City of London will perpetuate much of the present bad layout; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the City is redeveloped in accorddance with the best town-planning practice.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Henry Strauss)The plan to which the hon. Member refers has been prepared by the Improvements and Town Planning Committee of the City Corporation. The proposals are tentative, and I understand that the Committee will receive and consider comments and criticism before reporting again to the City Corporation. My right hon. Friend is now studying the proposals and will in due course let the Corporation have his comments and suggestions.
§ Mr. LawsonWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the replanning of the City of London is a national matter, and not just a local matter for the City itself?
§ Mr. StraussWe shall certainly keep that in mind.
§ 22. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning the present position with regard to the views of the Royal Fine Art Commission concerning the new plan for the City of London put forward by the Corporation; and whether he will give an assurance that approval will not be given to this until the Report of the Commission is received.
§ Mr. H. StraussI understand that the tentative plan recently published is being considered by the Royal Fine Art Commission and that the City Corporation hope to have the benefit of their advice in due course. My Right Honourable Friend will also consult the Commission in the course of his examination of the plan.
§ Mr. ManderDoes the hon. Gentleman know whether the Royal Fine Art Commission has formed any provisional conclusions about the plans, and why the City of London did not wait until they got the benefit of its excellent advice?
§ Mr. StraussI think that there has been some correspondence between the Corporation and the Commission, but I cannot add to my answer. I am not aware that there are any grounds for the hon. Member's suspicions.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonCan my hon. Friend say what are the terms of reference of the Commission in a matter of this nature, and what sort of advice is asked from them?
§ Mr. StraussI could not possibly restate the terms of reference without notice, but I think they are wide enough to enable the Commission to comment fully on the plans which are submitted to them.