HC Deb 25 January 1962 vol 652 cc393-4
20. Mr. Albu

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Royal Society about the possible rehousing of the Society in Carlton House Terrace.

Mr. Brooke

My officials have been approached by the Royal Society about the possibility of accommodation for the Society in Carlton House Terrace. The cost of providing that would certainly be heavy, and the Society was informed that it would be difficult to go beyond the offer of additional accommodation in Burlington Gardens which the Government had already made to the learned societies.

Mr. Albu

is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Royal Society is badly in need of more space than it has in the premises in which it has lived for so long, and that these houses would be very suitable premises for it? Will the Government go even further and provide a real scientific centre in which international scientific conferences could be held?

Mr. Brooke

The learned societies, including the Royal Society, already occupy nearly 68,000 square feet of Government accommodation rent-free. They are shortly to be provided in Burlington Gardens with further accommodation which will increase the total to nearly 89,000 square feet. I do not think that the Government can be criticised for parsimony here.