Banqueting Hall, Whitehall

HC Deb 21 June 1960 vol 625 cc205-6

26. Mr. Parker

asked the Minister of Works what progress has been made with the proposal to remove the museum from the Banqueting Hall, Whitehall.

Lord John Hope

I cannot yet add to my reply of 23rd February, 1960, to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. F. Noel-Baker).

Mr. F. Noel-Baker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that reply did not tell us anything? Could he not get on with the job of emptying this very important historic building of the very unimaginative and inappropriate contents which now occupy it?

Lord John Hope

I hope that the hon. Member and other hon. Members will realise that this does need, and is getting, from both sides, a tactful approach. There is good will on both sides. It is not quite as easy as he says. I should regret it if anything were said that implied that in some way those who own the museum have been at fault in having it there. It is not their fault.