§ 12. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take powers to secure the preservation of theatres where this is in the public interest.
§ Mr. SandysSo far as London is concerned, I modified the County of London Plan in such a way so as to ensure that only in very special circumstances would planning permission be given for converting a theatre to office use or for replacing it by an office building. The 6 policy of the London County Council under the Plan is to ensure the continued use of theatres as such, unless for economic or other reasons this becomes clearly impracticable.
§ Mr. RobinsonI thank the Minister for that satisfactory reply on this occasion. May I ask him whether the fears, which have been repeated, about the future of the St. James's theatre are groundless?
§ Mr. SandysTo be quite frank, that slipped through the net before we got on to this point.