HC Deb 21 March 1968 vol 761 cc565-7
1. Dr. David Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects the building of the National Theatre to begin.

10. Mr. Strauss

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has now reached agreement on the financial contribution he and the Greater London Council are prepared to make towards the building of the National Theatre; and whether he will make a statement.

26. Miss Harvie Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what date he estimates building operations will begin on the site of the National Theatre.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Miss Jennie Lee)

The Greater London Council has decided to make available up to £3¾ million, but no more, towards the total final cost of building the theatre. The Government have informed the South Bank Theatre Board that they will provide a sum equal to that provided by the G.L.C. The South Bank Theatre Board has also available a sum of £100,000 in Trust Funds which it proposes to use to help in building the theatre. The board has instructed the architect to prepare working drawings within the total expenditure limit of £7.6 million thus available. This process should be completed within the year after which tenders will be asked for.

Dr. Kerr

I am sure that my right hon. Friend will recognise the welcome which we give to this sign of progress. Will the sum which is now to be available involve any material alteration in the designs presented by Mr. Denys Lasdun? Would my right hon. Friend accept that her continuing campaign to get this matter moving is widely regarded as a most valuable contribution to our living in London and in Britain?

Miss Lee

My information is that certain changes are to be made by the architect to keep within the expenditure limit, but they do not involve a fundamental alternation in his scheme.

Mr. Strauss

Is not the offer of the G.L.C. worse than that which was made by the L.C.C., which offered to pay half of whatever the final cost might be, an offer which is now limited? What will happen if, in view of rising costs for building the theatre, the final expenditure is more than is anticipated?

Miss Lee

On the last part of that question, I think that, with £7½ million and an additional £100,000, if we cannot build a splendid theatre, we all ought to jump in the Thames. I am quite satisfied that we can get ahead. It is true that the G.L.C.'s predecessors had an understanding with me—it was not a written contract—that they would be prepared to pay £3¾ million at point of tender, and the Government the same. But we need not quibble about past arguments; the important thing now is that we have a splendid board which wants to go ahead with the building of the theatre. Most of us would like to see the beginning by next year.

Miss Harvie Anderson

While welcoming the right hon. Lady's first reply, may I ask whether it would be possible to have visible signs of this theatre rather earlier than that reply suggested?

Miss Lee

I am conditioned in this by the builders and the architects. I am just thankful that we have overcome a rather defeatist attitude on the part of some people and I do not see why we should not now go ahead without any further loss of time.

Mr. Channon

Is the right hon. Lady aware that we recognise that this project will not require much expenditure at the moment, that it is widely welcomed in the House and that, rather than quibble about who should pay how much, we are all anxious that they should get on with some work?

Miss Lee

indicated assent.