11. Mr. G. Wilsonasked the Minister of Works what time limit was attached to the priority licences granted for the rebuilding of office and other accommodation in the City of London in view of the fact that in several cases no start has been made.
§ Sir D. EcclesNone, Sir. In fact my advice to building owners is not to press for work to start until plans have been fully prepared.
Mr. WilsonYes, but does not the delay in starting work for which priority licences have been granted cause delay in the granting of further licences to other people who are ready to start? Is it not a scandal that the City of London should make such slow progress in rebuilding compared with other cities at home and abroad?
§ Sir D. EcclesI think my hon. Friend should have some sympathy with people who have been waiting a long time for licences and have felt that it was unwise to spend money on architects drawings when they were not sure they would get a licence. Most of these are very large projects, and it is certainly in the interest of swift completion that these plans should be properly prepared before work starts. We have learned a lesson from this, that we must give the next batch of licences rather earlier.