§ 6. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister for Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will, in consultation with interested organisations, delay the demolition of the Doric portico at Euston while the possibility of securing its preservation or re-erection by public subscription is explored.
§ Sir K. JosephNo, Sir. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport explained on 12th July, any further delay would disrupt the urgent reconstruction of the underground station.
§ Mr. DribergWould the hon. Member look at a letter in today's Guardian in which two interesting points are made—first, that the developers who make such enormous tax-free capital gains out of ruining London might voluntarily contribute the relatively small sum needed to save this fine arch; and, secondly, that competent architects can usually 1119 incorporate old features of value in a new design?
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend's task is limited to deciding whether the Building Preservation Order is justified. He discharged that task more than a year ago. The question of re-erection is not for my right hon. Friend.