HC Deb 24 January 1961 vol 633 cc5-6
3. Mr. Tilney

asked the Minister of Works what was the original estimate for the building of the High Commissioner's house in Lagos.

7. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Works what subsequent alterations were made to the architect's design and scheme of decoration for the High Commissioner's residence at Lagos, as approved by the Royal Fine Art Commission and by him; at whose instance the alterations were made; whether they were approved by the architect of the building; and what additional cost to public funds was involved.

Lord John Hope

The design of the architect, Mr. Brett, for this house was approved by my Ministry and the Commonwealth Relations Office, and by the Royal Fine Art Commission, in 1958. In September, 1960, the High Commissioner saw the house which was nearly completed and I then asked my Chief Architect to visit Lagos with Mr. Brett. In the light of the report I received I decided to authorise work to remedy certain functional disadvantages which had become evident. This work was carried out in collaboration with Mr. Brett. The house was originally estimated to cost £80,000. The final cost is likely to be about £110,000. Of this, about £12,000 is due to the increased cost of building over the first estimate and £18,000 to additional work, including a swimming pool and new sitting-room to replace one adapted for the High Commissioner's study.

Mr. Robinson

Is the Minister aware that I am grateful that he has made it clear that the architect did not approve of these alterations? Will he go a little further, and tell the House that these alterations and these changed decoration schemes were entirely the result of the intervention of the High Commissioner's wife? Might not the Minister have been more specific before the Recess in defending the distinguished architect of this building against charges made from the benches behind him?

Lord John Hope

I cannot for a moment accept what the hon. Member has said. The architect did agree that these structural alterations were necessary, and there was no question of his collaboration being at all unwilling. As for the credit due to the architect, I gave that fully before the Recess, in answer to Questions, and I will do so again. This is a fine building, and for its fineness the architect will get what credit an architect who has designed a fine building deserves. That being said, mistakes were made, in good faith, which might happen to anybody. I was faced with the situation as I found it, and I felt that I must deal with it as such, in accordance with my duty, and not in terms of a situation with which I should have liked to be faced.

4. Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the criticism of the new High Commissioner's residence in Lagos, he will arrange for photographs of the building to he placed in the Library.

Lord John Hope

I will gladly place photographs in the Library as soon as the additional work has been completed.