HC Deb 28 July 1947 vol 441 cc17-8
37. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Works whether he has consulted the Ministry of Town and Country Planning on the representations made to him by the Surbiton Borough Council in connection with his Department's declared intention to erect temporary office buildings on the Barwell Court Estate, Chessington, inside a green belt area.

Mr. Key

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this building of Government offices is taking place in an area scheduled as a green belt under the Greater London Plan; is he further aware that it has been opposed by the local authority concerned; and does he not regard it as part of the duty of his Department to set a good and not a bad example in the planned use of land?

Mr. Key

Certainly we should set a good example in the planned use of land. The arrangements we have made are temporary; they have been made with the approval of the Ministry of Town and Country Planning, and they are being applied for the purpose of setting free other accommodation—housing accommodation in particular—to be used for the purposes for which it was intended.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the local authority has not been allowed to use this area for housing, and that apparently it is the policy of his Department to give priority for the building of Government offices?

Mr. Key

I would point out that these are temporary buildings, whereas houses should be permanent.

Commander Galbraith

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many years he expects these offices which he designates as "temporary" to stand?

Mr. Key

No, Sir, I could not give an exact answer to that, but I should think 10 years, or something of that sort.