HL Deb 11 July 1956 vol 198 cc849-51

2.55 p.m.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what weight of concrete or other material is to be sunk into the soil of Battersea Park to form the base of the proposed tower and its surroundings; what is the estimated cost, at present prices, of removing this material together with the tower and of restoring grassland in 1967; whether Festival Gardens Limited have undertaken to make this restoration; and what guarantee there is that they will have the means to fulfil such an undertaking.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)

My Lords, a condition was attached to the planning consent that on or before the terminal date in 1967 the tower should he removed and the land reinstated to its former condition to the satisfaction of the London County Council. The Government has no reason to think that the Company lack the means to fulfil this condition. The other information asked for relates to matters which are outside the responsibilities of Her Majesty's Government.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, am I to understand from that Answer that at the time the Minister gave this consent he had before him the letter of the Royal Fine Art Commission saying that because of the serious damage the project would do to the amenities of the Park, and indeed to the whole stretch of the river, it strongly urged that planning consent should not be granted? Is the noble Earl aware not only that he had that before him, but also that he had apparently not ascertained what the physical work would be? Otherwise he might have found that it might render the restoration of these amenities for ever impossible. Further, may I ask whether any assurance can be given that Festival Gardens Limited will even be in existence in the year in question? There is nothing to stop them from being wound up this year.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

As regards the first part of the noble Lord's question. I imagine that the letter from the Royal Fine Art Commission was in the hands of my right honourable friend before he gave his consent. As regards the physical work of reinstating Battersea Park in 1967, my right honourable friend has no doubt whatever that That in fact can be done and will be accomplished. With regard to the third question, which concerned Festival Gardens Limited, I cannot, of course, say whether they will be in being in 1967. The financial profit which this Company are now making, makes it pretty certain, however, that they will still be in existence at that date.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, may I ask Her Majesty's Government whether even at this late stage they will not reconsider their decision? Are they aware that they will incur the real hatred of those who love the beauty of London if they persist in this outrageous vandalism?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, I appreciate my noble friend's point, but of course he will realise that there are tens of thousands who welcome the erection of this tower in Battersea Park.

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether this matter is not a further proof of the fact that while there is money in ugliness there is no money in the preservation of beauty, and consequently ugliness prevails?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

The views of the noble Lord are unique to himself.

LORD WINSTER

Not at all.

LORD CONESFORD

Can the noble Earl say which the Minister of Housing hates the more—Battersea Park or the Royal Fine Art Commission?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

I am sure my right honourable friend has not given a major decision on that point at all.

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, may I ask a further question? As I understood the noble Earl, he said that he had no idea what the cost might be of restoring the Gardens in 1967. If the cost is so great that it financially pays Festival Gardens Limited to go into liquidation or be wound up in 1966, who then will restore the Gardens in 1967?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

Of course it can be enforced by the action of the London County Council, who have powers under the Town and Country Planning Act.

EARL ATTLEE

May I ask the noble Earl whether this is part of the Government's economy drive?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

The noble Earl probably forgets that this has nothing to do with Government money at all. It is a private enterprise matter.