§ 2.45 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To draw attention to the statement made by Sir Winston Churchill on 5th December concerning the scale of technological education in the Soviet Union, and to ask if Her Majesty's Government have yet come to a decision on the South Kensington site, which will enable the Imperial College to carry out its full expansion in accordance with the announcement made by Her Majesty's Government on 29th January, 1953.]
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, I am answering on behalf of my noble friend the Lord President of the Council. In view of the urgent need to increase the country's output of scientists and technologists, the Government have decided, notwithstanding the difficulties which are involved, to adhere to the scale of development for the Imperial College which they originally announced. In order that this decision may be put into effect, new premises for the Imperial Institute will be provided elsewhere.
VISCOUNT FALMOUTHMy Lords, I wish to thank the noble Earl for his reply. I should like to ask him whether, as the expansion of the College is now held up, waiting for Her Majesty's Government's decision about the site, the noble Earl can say if the Government are now in a position to authorise the Imperial College to proceed with its original building plan. This plan alone makes it possible to carry out the full expansion of the College to comply with the Government's instructions.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I should like notice about the exact timing. I do not think that, now that the Government's decision has been taken, there is anything to hold up the plan.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether any decision has yet been taken about the site of the new premises for the Imperial Institute?
§ LORD OGMOREMay I ask the noble Earl whether the premises of the Imperial Institute will be suitable for the important functions that the Institute have to perform?
THE EARL OF HOMEYes; that is the intention—that it shall be an equivalent building, and suitable for the purposes of the Institute.
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, I should like to ask the noble Earl whether the Government are really appreciative of the extreme urgency of getting on with this project, which has been, so to speak, floating about for something like ten years now. The whole of the future of this country depends on our getting ahead with our technological education. I hope the Government realise that this is one of the most urgent matters with which they have to deal in the present Parliament.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, that is why I gave the answer that I did: that we are fully aware of the urgency of this problem.