HL Deb 23 January 1963 vol 246 cc9-11

2.46 p.m.

LORD BOSSOM

My 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 they are concerned at the steady and, in fact, accelerating destruction of the charm and character of London now taking place and much resented by many people; and, if they are concerned, what is going to be done to halt the destruction of this irreplaceable asset that has given joy to English people and attracted visitors from all over the world for a century.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD HASTINGS)

My Lords, I appreciate the noble Lord's wish to see London's character preserved and, in particular, that the scale of its buildings should not be altered. But redevelopment of much of London is inevitable and indeed is in the national interest. This must mean the loss of some existing buildings and that some familiar scenes are changed. The London scene cannot be frozen—I assure the noble Lord that I am speaking metaphorically. It is and always has been the physical expression of a developing, progressive society.

My right honourable friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the London County Council are very conscious of the importance of safeguarding buildings of architectural and historic interest, and any proposal to destroy these is considered very carefully in schemes for redevelopment. Where old buildings have to go and areas change, the essential thing for the authorities, the developers and, above all, the architects, is to see that buildings of high quality of design are put in their place.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that comprehensive Answer, and recognising at once that we have to progress and to modify certain developments, may I ask whether he would consider with his Minister creating an advisory committee of independent people without Government connections—not civil servants or anything of that sort, or any body connected with the Government, but publicly respected people who have good taste, which fact has already been established by their long life and activity elsewhere? Would my noble friend also consider suggesting places which could be designated as reserve areas, where no buildings may be erected beyond a definite height and where they must be harmonious and in character with the existing buildings?

LORD HASTINGS

My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Lord for his comprehensive supplementary. In regard to the last part of it, we have already had the argument about areas set aside for high buildings or reserved for buildings which are not high, and I do not think I need answer that question again. But I should be glad to put forward his suggestion to my right honourable friend. What it really comes down to is this question of taste and who is to be the arbiter of taste. In most cases, as the noble Lord is aware, it is the local planning authorities who finally decide these matters. But, after all, there are architects, and I should hope that they would put up buildings of good quality. In rare cases it is for my right honourable friend to take a final decision, and he can do so with the benefit of the advice of the Royal Fine Art Commission. The suggestion that this matter should be taken entirely out of the hands of my right honourable friend is a question for Parliament—whether in the last resort Parliament or some independent body should be the arbiter in taste. I do not think I can go further than that. I will put forward the noble Lord's suggestion to my right honourable friend.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, while thanking, my noble friend for that answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that the Royal Fine Art Commission have made emphatic recommendations that certain buildings should not be erected and they have been overruled by someone else? But we will not discuss these questions of taste, as he so appropriately remarked just now. That is a matter for architects and others. Having had a little experience on this subject, as I am sure he knows, I think there is a lot to be considered before we allow London, one of the most beautiful cities of the world, to be ruined as it is being ruined to-day.

LORD HASTINGS

My Lords, I agree that this is a most important and difficult problem, and it really refers back to my previous Answer that in the last resort the Government of the day can overrule the Royal Fine Art Commission or any other advisory authority. But it is up to Parliament to decide whether that course is right or not, and I cannot say more than that.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, while again thanking my noble friend for his answer, I hope that he will carry forward the suggestion to his Minister to see whether they can get some practical results.