§ 4. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he hopes to complete the restoration of the Banqueting House, Whitehall, and open it to the public.
§ 25. Sir D. Gloverasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what progress he has made with the reinstatement of the interior of the Banqueting House, Whitehall; and when he plans to make it available for use.
§ Mr. RipponI am afraid that the Royal United Service Institution has still not been able to give me possession of the Banqueting House and so it has not been possible to start work on the reinstatement of the interior.
§ Mr. ParkerWhen does the right hon. Gentleman expect that it will be free?
§ Mr. RipponThe hon. Member knows what legal difficulties imply but the Institution is in consultation with the Charity Commissioners at the moment and they are working on a scheme which I hope will enable progress to be made.
§ 31. Mr. Goodhewasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will consider the construction of a subway linking the Banqueting House with the Henry VIII wine cellar, thus providing improved access and a link between these two places of hospitality.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Public Building and Works (Mr. Richard Sharples)No.
§ Mr. GoodhewIs not the present approach to the cellar very poor and unattractive? Could not these two places be used very well together for official receptions and, perhaps, even for selected private ones?
§ Mr. SharplesThe Question relates to the construction of a subway. I am advised that the construction of a sub-way would be a very complex and difficult operation and would be very expensive, too.
§ Mr. K. LewisIf my hon. Friend thinks that a subway would be too expensive, will he consider laying a pipeline?
§ Mr. SharplesI think that that question would be better addressed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power.