§ 2.29 p.m.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, I beg leave 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, recognising the deep concern so widely held, and seeing that such capital cities as Washington and Paris have found it entirely practical to limit the heights of buildings in certain sections of these cities, there is any reason why London cannot do the same and limit the heights of new buildings, to be erected in the proximity of the historic structures that mean so much to our nation.]
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, my noble friend will doubtless recall that during our very full debate on high building in London on February 22, I explained why the Government considered that the most practical way of dealing with this most difficult problem was by examination of each proposal on its individual merits and demerits against the background of stated criteria. I also referred at some length to the difficulties that any form of height zoning might give rise to.
The criteria by which proposals are judged in Central London have been under detailed reconsideration by the London County Council in the light of their experience up to date, and of the public discussion of this problem in recent months. They are now in consultation with the Royal Fine Art Commission on a draft restatement of these principles, and I understand that the Council hope, in that restatement, to be able to give more positive guidance on the main questions to be considered, including that mentioned by my noble friend. I hope, therefore, that my noble friend will agree that further discussion of this question should wait until the new statement is available. This should be some time during the summer.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, I believe that if he looks into it on a rather wider basis he will find that it is being done with perfect ease in two other very important capitals. Could he also explain what there is to be gained by the British people in allowing our historic and beautiful buildings—which are admired by people from all over the world, who come here especially for the purpose of seeing them—to be belittled and dwarfed by these buildings which are being put up, by which only a few people gain and which do not help the country or the cities at all?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, to answer first my noble friend's second supplementary question, the existing policy is to ensure that historic buildings, and indeed historic views, are not prejudiced. I should be the first to agree that the existing policy may not be working aright. That is not necessarily a case for abandoning the policy, but it may very well be a case for re-examining it carefully, which is precisely what the London County Council are at present doing. In answer to my noble friend's first supplementary question, I would agree that they may order things better in Paris, or indeed in Washington, than we do here, but I would suggest that each country and each capital has to find the answer to its own particular needs, and the solution which might be right for the cities of Haussmann and L'Enfant might not be right for the cities of Wren and Bossom.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that more or less accurate advice. Will he endeavour to ensure that no more tall buildings are put up in important positions overlooking, or in close proximity to, important buildings until this matter has been brought up and a decision reached about it?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I would suggest to my noble friend that it would be better to await the restatement of principles which the London County Council are at present working on before prejudging any particular building; but I will, of course, bring to the attention of my right honourable friend the observation which my noble friend has just made.
§ LORD MOLSONMy Lords, will the Parliamentary Secretary give an 897 assurance that, before Her Majesty's Government come to an unalterable decision about this subject, they will take into account informed opinion as to how these amenities can be preserved? We are most anxious not to be faced with a fait accompli, a statement that Her Majesty's Government have accepted the views of the London County Council on this matter.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I fully recognise the great interest of my noble friend in this matter. I do not think I can give him a categorical answer to the question he has just posed; but I can assure him that I understand that the restatement of principles which the L.C.C. are working on will be published and that there will therefore be full opportunity for public opinion to express its views on the matter, either inside or outside Parliament.
§ LORD MOLSONBefore Her Majesty's Government have taken a definite line?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I am certain that Her Majesty's Government will wish to bear closely in mind the expression of public opinion on this question.