HC Deb 27 November 1967 vol 755 cc8-9
10. Mr. Sharples

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the total cost of the purchase of land and buildings for the Bloomsbury site of the British Museum Library; and what proportion of this expenditure has been incurred since 15th October, 1964.

Mr. Mellish

About £2 million and £500,000, respectively.

Mr. Sharples

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no decision will be taken over the disposal of this property until a site for the National Library has been finally agreed?

Mr. Mellish

The hon. Gentleman will know that there is another Question down by one of his hon. Friends, and I think that that will be the appropriate time for me to answer that question.

Mr. Channon

Since £500,000 has been spent by this Government since they came into office for the purchase of land and buildings for the Bloomsbury site, how can the hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friend argue that no firm decision was taken in the past?

Mr. Mellish

All this was purchased on the basis of voluntary agreement. The hon. Gentleman has a Question down on this matter. He had better wait until we reach it.

23. Mr. Channon

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is to happen to the property purchased by his Department on what was, until recently, intended to be the site for the British Museum Library extension.

Mr. Mellish

In conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, I hope shortly to start discussions with those concerned, notably the Greater London Council and the Camden Borough Council, about the future of this area.

Mr. Channon

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is highly desirable that there shall be no disposal of this property which would have the effect of prejudging the report of the new committee on libraries which his right hon. Friend has set up?

Mr. Mellish

I agree about that. That is why we want to talk to the G.L.C. and the Camden Borough Council about the future of the site as a whole. When that has been decided we must link it up with the other policies of the Government.

Mr. Strauss

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the decision to scrap all the work that has gone on for twenty years—and waste all the money involved—in order to locate either the British Museum Library or the National Library in this area is so indefensible and foolish that it cannot stand? Will he therefore be very slow in disposing of any of this area for housing pending a decision by the committee that has been set up?

Mr. Mellish

I note what my right hon. Friend says. There was a debate on this matter in which he expressed his views forcibly. This, like the Question of the Henry Moore sculpture, is a matter of opinion.