HC Deb 17 April 1969 vol 781 cc1318-9
22. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated shortage of space in the Natural History Museum, South Kensington; and what plans he has for meeting the shortage.

Miss Jennie Lee

Approximately 186,000 sq. ft. To meet this, a new extension of 48,000 sq. ft. is to be added to the main building of the Museum's outstation at Tring, and a further 138,000 sq. ft. is planned for the South Kensington site.

Mr. Allason

Are we to understand from that that all the problems at South Kensington will be relieved, and thereafter is the right hon. Lady satisfied that the other museums also will be relieved from the problems of overcrowding?

Miss Lee

A great deal of thought has been given to this matter. The solutions proposed are approved of by the Trustees. This means that in the autumn we will have a start on this additional space at Tring, and a little later we are looking forward to development of South Kensington. The Trustees do not assume that this will solve the long-term problems, but that it will settle their immediate needs.