HC Deb 10 October 1946 vol 427 cc361-2
61. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there is no hall in London worthy of our past and present contribution to music; that the late Sir Henry Wood inaugurated a fund, which has since grown considerably, to help pay for a special concert hall, and expressed the hope that it might be erected in Park Square, which is Crown properly; and what plans the Government have for furthering this project, or any alternative project, to provide a national concert hall in London.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I am aware of the shortage of concert halls in London, of the Henry Wood Memorial Fund, and that proposals have been made for the erection of concert halls in London. While the Government are in sympathy with the common aim of these proposals, they do not appear to be sufficiently far advanced for the Government to express a preference for any one of them.

Major Beamish

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is likely to be any objection to the use of Park Square as a site if the necessary approaches are made to that effect?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

So far as the Park Square site is concerned, I gather they had a site but no money, and there is some doubt whether the site chosen would bear a building of this kind in view of the fact that the Underground Railway runs about 70 feet beneath it.

Mr. McAllister

Will the Chancellor see to it that the planners of Park Square are consulted before any decision is taken in this matter?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I think that is a matter with which the Ministry of Town and Country Planning would deal.