Marble Arch (Hansard, 20 May 1996)

§ 2. Mr. Carrington
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has for the refurbishment of Marble Arch; and if she will make a statement. [28758]

§ The Secretary of State for National Heritage (Mrs. Virginia Bottomley)
The repair and conservation of Marble Arch began on 4 March and is planned for completion by the end of June. The enhancement of our built heritage is based on an active partnership involving my Department, its agencies, sponsored bodies, local authorities and the private sector. I shall be publishing a consultation paper on built heritage later this week.

§ Mr. Carrington
I am particularly grateful to my right hon. Friend for that answer. The appearance of London's historic buildings plays a vital role in making our city beautiful and in attracting tourists. Will she use her powers over the trustees of the Victoria and Albert museum to ensure that, if an extension is built to that museum, it is in accordance with the existing fine and historic character of the buildings?

§ Mrs. Bottomley
I agree that London's fine buildings are a great attraction to the many tourists who visit the city.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
What does this have to do with Marble Arch?

§ Madam Speaker
Order. The Minister extended the question. Perhaps the hon. Member for Newham, North-west (Mr. Banks) was not listening.

§ Mrs. Bottomley
Investment in many of the major buildings in London has been clearly evident in recent months and years. I suspect that a number of groups will wish to comment on the extension of the V and A, not least the planning authority at Kensington and Chelsea, English Heritage and the Royal Fine Art Commission.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
Is not the Minister concerned that so many of our ancient and famous buildings are falling into decay as a result of neglect by the Government and related agencies? How does she justify the inordinately long period during which the Albert monument by the Albert 4 hall was under drapes? Have not the Government allowed our capital city to run down and neglected much of our national heritage?

§ Mrs. Bottomley
The hon. Gentleman must be wearing blinkers. Throughout London, an unprecedented number of projects are under way—the Albert memorial restoration, with £8 million to be spent in four years, is but one. There are also plans to carry out further improvements to Parliament square and Trafalgar square, and to introduce pedestrianisation outside Buckingham palace. There are endless examples. The national lottery enables us to do even more to refurbish many of our magnificent buildings, not least the major project to restore the Albert hall.

§ Mr. Tracey
My right hon. Friend's news on Marble Arch is welcome, as is her grasp of so many of the other heritage memorials of London. But what is she doing to hasten the work on Bankside and the refurbishment of the buildings connected with the Royal Festival hall, which are important to London's culture?

§ Mrs. Bottomley
My hon. Friend will know only too well that lottery awards are enabling the south bank of the Thames to become a veritable cultural centre, as it includes the Globe and Bankside. In addition, parts of Lambeth and Southwark that were in need of investment are now able to take the opportunity to invest in the future and share in a truly great millennium.