HC Deb 08 February 1951 vol 483 cc1936-7
60. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Commissioners of Crown Lands were consulted about the proposal to add extra storeys to Carlton House Terrace and convert it into a new Foreign Office; and what reply they gave.

Mr. T. Williams

Yes, Sir; the fullest consultation between the Commissioners of Crown Lands and the Ministry of Works has taken place since the inception of the scheme. The architect was instructed to prepare his plans on the basis suggested in the report of the Royal Fine Art Commission to the Commissioners of Crown Lands in 1945 and the Commissioners approved the plans for submission to the Royal Fine Art Commission in 1948.

Mr. Bossom

When the Royal Fine Art Commission were asked about this, were they instructed that a certain capacity must be provided so that they had not the alternative of approving an improved design?

Mr. Williams

They were not instructed on those lines at all.