HC Deb 04 December 1974 vol 882 cc1551-2
29. Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will refer the future of the Criterion Theatre to the Government Advisory Committee on theatres.

Mr. Crosland

No, Sir. Advice from the committee on current proposals could be held to prejudice any subsequent decision that I might take.

Mr. Finsberg

What is the purpose of the Advisory Committee on Theatres? Surely it is hypocritical to invite people to serve on that body and not refer to them the most important issue of the preservation of the Criterion Theatre?

Mr. Crosland

I confess that the purpose of the committee is unclear. It was set up not by me but by my immediate predecessor. It is not completely clear to me what purpose my predecessor had in mind. This is something that we are discussing with the committee. Why we did not consult the committee is a serious question. The Criterion Theatre could come to me for decision either if I called the decision in or if an application to the GLC from the Westminster council was refused and Westminster then appealed to me. As I have to make a judicial decision at the end of the day, it seems to me and to my advisers that it would be wrong for me formally to consult the committee on this question.

Mrs. Dunwoody

Will my right hon. Friend seriously consider calling in this application, because many theatres in London are being destroyed with no justification whatsoever? This building has an architectural value which we should be loth to lose, let alone its theatrical advantage at the present time.

Mr. Crosland

I am seriously considering whether to call in the application. Whether I do or not, I assure my hon. Friend that I am taking a very serious personal interest in the future of the Criterion Theatre and would challenge nothing that she said about the importance of this matter.

Mr. Channon

The House will be grateful that the right hon. Gentleman is taking a close personal interest in the problem. Is he aware that there is great public concern about the future not only of the Criterion Theatre but of other theatres in London?

Mr. Crosland

I am well aware of this concern, and wholly share it.

Mr. Finsberg

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to ask leave to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.