HC Deb 26 June 1951 vol 489 cc1182-4
53. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now state the Government's intentions regarding the rebuilding of the Queen's Hall; what discussions have taken place with the Arts Council and the Henry Wood National Memorial Trust regarding this; what decisions have been reached; what will be the total cost of this project; and what proportion of the cost will be borne by the taxpayers, as such.

Mr. Gaitskell

After consulting the Arts Council, the B.B.C. and the Henry Wood National Memorial Trust, the Government concluded that the Queen's Hall should be rebuilt to provide a national concert hall and musical centre suited to modern needs. This will mean taking in the site of the adjoining St. George's Hall. The lease of the old Queen's Hall was held by Messrs. Chappell. It had a seating capacity of only about 2,200. Messrs. Chappell were not prepared to undertake the building of a larger hall and are therefore surrendering their lease.

It is proposed that the new Queen's Hall should seat 3,500 with room for another 1,000 under promenade conditions, and including a small hall seating about 1,100 for recitals and chamber music. Unfortunately, we cannot in present conditions enter into any commitment as to when rebuilding can start.

An independent trust is to be set up to manage the Hall in the tradition of the old Queen's Hall, which would be representative of the Arts Council, the Henry Wood Memorial Trust and other important musical interests. The capital cost will, of course, depend on building costs at the time, but at present day prices it would be about £1–£11 millions. Towards this, there is a war damage payment of some £350,000.

The Henry Wood National Memorial Trust is prepared to make available the money which it has collected for the furtherance of such a scheme in connection with the new Queen's Hall, on the understanding that the new hall incorporates some special feature which would constitute a suitable memorial to the late Sir Henry Wood. It is most fitting that the long and glorious association of Sir Henry Wood with the Queen's Hall should be commemorated in this way and the offer of the trustees is most welcome.

Major Beamish

While welcoming what has been said by the Chancellor, may I ask if he is aware that there are tens of thousands of people who have subscribed to the Henry Wood National Memorial Trust which contains something in the nature of £60,000; that these people subscribed for a specific purpose and will not necessarily agree to their money being used for some other purpose? I hope he is not jumping to conclusions about this.

Mr. Gaitskell

That is a matter for the trustees rather than for me.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

May I ask what steps my right hon. Friend will take to see that persons nominated to the board of trustees by the Arts Council are in fact the most suitable and competent persons to serve on this body?

Mr. Gaitskell

I shall naturally endeavour to see that that is so.