§ LORD CONESFORDMy 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 whether the Royal Fine Art Commission has given any advice to the Finsbury Borough Council or Her Majesty's Government regarding the buildings and development proposed by the Finsbury Square Bill; and, if such advice has been given, whether they will state what it was.]
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, I understand that the Finsbury Borough Council consulted the Royal Fine Art Commission on their proposals for Finsbury Square and that the Commission, in February last, reiterated an earlier recommendation that the petrol-filling stations should be placed at a lower level.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, can my noble friend tell me why their recommendation is not to be carried out?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, so far as I know, the Finsbury Borough Council are considering this recommendation, with, no doubt, many other recommendations that they have received.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that, while Finsbury Borough Council, like everyone else, would like to have the petrol stations underground, the suggestion that that should be done because it is more artistic is wholly impracticable, because the London County Council will not allow it.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, shall we have the decision of the Finsbury Borough Council before the debate on the Third Reading of the Finsbury Square Bill takes place to-morrow? Otherwise many of us will be in a position of great difficulty.
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, that is nothing to do with my right honourable friend; it is entirely to do with the sponsors of this Private Bill. No doubt we shall hear a great deal to-morrow.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether he is aware that this particular issue and advice from the Fine Art Council are nothing to do with the Bill to-morrow, and that any questions of that kind can be discussed after the Bill has gone through Parliament.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend if he will convey to whichever Minister contemplates intervening in to-morrow's debate that some of the House may think these matters most relevant?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, I am quite certain that whatever Minister is replying in to-morow's debate will consider what the noble Lord has said. But I want to make it quite clear that my right honourable friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning is not responsible in this matter in any way unless there should be disagreement between the London County Council, the Finsbury Borough Council or the Church Commissioners; and then, under the Act of 1957, he is the final arbiter.