HC Deb 10 February 1970 vol 795 cc1058-9
10. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works to whom the site in the City of Westminster, formerly intended for a new Colonial Office, has been leased; for how long, for how much, and on what conditions; and what is to be the future development.

Mr. John Silkin

Most of the site is now occupied by National Car Parks Ltd. on a six-monthly basis. A comprehensive redevelopment, to provide a Government Conference Centre and new Headquarters for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Institution of Civil Engineers, which own buildings to the north, is under consideration.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that over the years the site has been put to the best and most profitable use?

Mr. Silkin

As the hon. Gentleman probably knows, the site was the subject of a public inquiry. The Martin Plan of 1965 had advised against offices and in favour of a building of national or international importance providing conference and other facilities for the Government. I cannot help feeling that, as matters have turned out, bearing in mind that this is a subject which goes back over some years under successive Governments, we shall be providing what the centre of London badly needs, which is accommodation for conferences. Therefore, in that sense, I am certain that the best use has been made of it.