HC Deb 16 April 1959 vol 603 cc1124-5
24. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has approved the proposal of the Crown Estate Commissioners to allow the Royal College of Physicians to erect a new building on the site of Someries House, Regent's Park; and to what extent this development implies the abandonment of the plan, supported by both the Gorell Committee and the Committee to consider a new Queen's Hall, to build a music centre in Regent's Park.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I approve generally the proposals for Regent's Park recently published by the Crown Estate Commissioners, including the proposed use of the Someries House site. The plan to build a music centre in Regent's Park falls within the scope of the Arts Council's survey of cultural building needs, and I must ask the hon. Member to await the early publication of that Council's report.

Mr. Robinson

Does not the proposal of the Crown Estate Commissioners very much prejudice the future scheme, which is imaginative and received the support of two Government Committees and would be of great benefit to London particularly North London?

Mr. Butler

I agree that in accepting the alternative occupancy of this site at Someries House the Commissioners have to that extent prejudiced the building of a music centre there, but I do not think that we should necessarily regard the matter as concluded. I think that we should at any rate await the Art Council's survey before making a final decision.

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