§ 28. Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what changes in policy and organisation he has made or proposes to make from those stated in his Department's publication, "Building For The Future".
§ Mr. C. PannellIt is too early for me to say if any change is necessary or desirable, but I am examining the matter.
§ Mr. CookeIs this not a great tribute to the work of Mr. Geoffrey Rippon in the Department? Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that the good work done on building research continues? Will he make sure that nothing is neglected in that aspect of the Ministry's work, particularly since he finds difficulty with the brick industry? Will he do all he can to encourage the Ministry in looking after the arts? Will he make a statement on whether the Ministry intends to indulge in any direct building operations?
§ Mr. PannellI shall certainly not answer all those questions, most of which do not arise from the Question on the Order Paper. But I want to say, at this Box, that during the time I "shadowed" this Ministry—at least 18 months—I received nothing but kindness and courtesy from Mr. Rippon, and I would like to pay tribute to that today. Although I am not sorry in a political sense that he is not here, in a personal sense I have regrets, reflecting the feelings which the House as a whole always shares. The measure of Mr. Rippon's success at the Ministry was the length of his advance from laissez-faire Conservatism to Labour Party planning.