§ 14. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Works, for which Departments his Ministry is responsible for the buildings and in how many of these cases the design for any important building was selected by competition or by some other suitable method which enabled independent architects to be considered for these commissions.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe Ministry of Works is responsible for the erection of buildings required by Civil Departments together with those needed for housing the headquarters staffs of the Service Departments. Between 1918 and 1939, at least 10 important schemes were entrusted to independent architects. In addition, as the hon. Member is aware, during the last war extensive use was made of nominated architects to carry out a large war programme of buildings, including hospitals, hostels, camps, schools and factories.
§ Mr. BossomCan the Minister give the House an assurance that the same policy will be carried out in peace as was found successful during the war?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI cannot give an all-round assurance that the same policy will be followed, but I can say that it is our intention to use outside architects as well as our own.