HC Deb 03 May 1962 vol 658 cc1194-5
20. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent, when giving loan sanction to St. Pancras Borough Council for the redevelopment of West Kentish Town by Reema Construction Ltd., he studied the design aspects of the proposal; and whether he required or suggested any modifications of the scheme as submitted, or made any other comments.

Mr. Rippon

The scheme was designed by a private architect appointed by the borough council and received planning approval from the London County Council. The accommodation provided met our technical standards. One suggested modification was adopted which reduced the cost.

Mr. Robinson

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is just about the most hideous development in housing in London since the war, and that, what is worse, it supplants a most imaginative scheme prepared by Sir Leslie Martin for the previous Labour-controlled council? Is the hon. Gentleman saying that the Minister of Housing and Local Government can do nothing to protect Londoners from having old slums replaced by new slums?

Mr. Rippon

The quality of design is obviously a matter of opinion. Here, a qualified architect was appointed. The plans were approved by the London County Council, and my right hon. Friend saw no reason to interfere with its judgment.

21. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why, before granting loan sanction to St. Pancras Borough Council for the redevelopment of West Kentish Town now in progress, he did not require the Council to obtain competitive tenders.

Mr. Rippon

The council's proposals were for a prefabricated type of construction for which competitive tendering was not appropriate. Since it had previously had satisfactory experience of this method and since the cost was reasonable, my right hon. Friend's predecessor saw no reason to ask the council to alter its proposals.

Mr. Robinson

Is the hon. Gentleman saying that he has no power to prevent ratepayers' money being squandered in this way? Does he know that this development is now costing at least as much as, if not more than, a normal architect-designed development?

Mr. Rippon

The point is that the council is perfectly entitled to suspend its standing orders in circumstances of this kind. Clearly, where one is dealing with a special prefabricated type of construction, competitive tendering may be quite inappropriate.

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