HC Deb 13 March 1956 vol 550 cc220-1
41. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Works how much was spent on new office premises for Government Departments in London during the past year; and how much will be spent in the coming year.

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

It is estimated that £197,000 will be spent in the current financial year and £615,000 in the financial year 1956–57. Of these totals the new building in Whitehall Gardens accounts for £160,000 and £530,000 respectively.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Does this not represent a tremendous increase in the forthcoming year compared with the past year; and is this to be regarded as a good example to other people to economise when this office building spree is being followed so lavishly by the present Administration?

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

I am sure the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that there is no office building spree, and that large projects of Government building have been stopped altogether. This building had been begun; half of it has been built, and the other half is now rising from the ground, or will be in the next year.

Mr. Jay

Is not it rather extraordinary that, at a time when the Government are slowing down school building and house building, this very large office building in central London should be going forward; is not this a good case for economy, and last October did not the then Chancellor say that Government building of offices was to cease in this year?

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

Yes, and the right hon. Gentleman knows quite well that the Colonial Office and other buildings have been stopped completely. This building is half finished, and it would be most expensive and uneconomic to stop it at this stage.

42. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Works what further expenditure he estimates will be incurred on the building of Government offices in Whitehall Gardens.

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

About £1,710,000.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the right hon. Gentleman considering any slowing up of this vast expenditure; and does not this substantiate the charge that I made just now of a Government office building spree in London? When is this going to stop?

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

I have explained that this is something which has already started. This money will not all be spent at once; only £530,000 will be spent in the next financial year.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Quite enough.