§ 21. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give an assurance that he will not allow progress to be made with the proposed 600-ft. office block for the National Westminster Bank until his consultations with the local council have been completed and until the matter has been submitted to this House.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonOutline planning permission was given by the City Corporation for the redevelopment of this site in 1964. Detailed proposals are now being considered by the City and I am in touch with them. I can assure the hon. Member that a decision will not be taken without my being given an opportunity to consider whether or not to call in the proposals for decision by the Minister.
§ Dame Irene WardI thank the Minister for that reply, but will he bear in mind that St. Paul's and its surroundings are of great concern to almost everyone in the country, and, indeed, in the world? Will he undertake to let the House of Commons have the information available to his Department so that we also may have an opportunity of expressing our views on whatever decisions are being taken?
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI am not sure that one can create a particular planning procedure only for this particular site, but I agree with the hon. Lady that this is a particularly sensitive spot and that the greatest possible care must be taken about its future development.