§ Q3. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister whether he will set up an independent committee to inquire into the possibility and desirability of moving the seat of government from London to the provinces, in view of the increasing congestion in the metropolis.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I share the hon. Member's concern about the congestion in London, but I do not think that the solution is to move the entire seat of government elsewhere.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the laughter from hon. Members that accompanied that Answer is typical of the frivolity with which this problem is being tackled by the Government? Does he not agree that the current policies being pursued by the Government will at best slow down the rate of increase of congestion in the Metropolis, and that one of the biggest attractions of London is the fact that it is the seat of government? Is he aware that if a tremendous and imaginative effort were made to get this centre into the provinces, other highly desirable consequences would automatically follow?
§ The Prime MinisterThere are great advantages which we enjoy in having a single city as the seat of government and the main seat of finance and commerce.