HL Deb 28 July 1965 vol 268 cc1299-301

2.55 p.m.

LORD BOSSOM

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that on July 6, 1964 (Lords Hansard, cols. 814–815), the representative speaking for the Government of that day promised that before any changes or modifications of any sort were made to the Foreign Office, drawings of the proposals being considered would be exhibited in this building before the scheme went ahead; and whether Her Majesty's Government can state whether this solemn promise is to be kept.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (LORD MITCHISON)

My Lords, the words of the noble Earl, Lord Jellicoe, on July 6, 1964, were When the drawings of the new Foreign Office are available, my right honourable friend will make arrangements for them to be exhibited in this building before the scheme goes ahead. While my right honourable friend has indicated in another place that he proposes to follow the decision of the last Government about the Foreign Office, he regards such questions as the exhibition of drawings of a proposed scheme as the responsibility of the Minister of the day. My right honourable friend has taken elaborate steps to secure publicity and discussion of Sir Leslie Martin's plan, which of course is a report on the broad framework of future development of building in the Whitehall and Parliament Square areas, and does not involve the details of any scheme or any drawings for the redevelopment of the Foreign Office.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that comment. Can he state when and where these drawings will be exhibited?

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, I think, with respect, that we had better wait until the drawings come into existence.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, with due regard to that comment from the noble Lord, is he not aware that there are drawings and models already being exhibited in the Library of the House of Commons?

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, these surely are drawings in connection with Sir Leslie Martin's plan to which I have just referred. They are quite a different matter from architectural or similar drawings for a particular development within the broad ambit of that plan, a development on which, so far as I know, no definite decision has yet been taken other than what I mentioned about the last Government's view.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, while again thanking the noble Lord, may I ask whether he will state if consideration will be given to any other proposals made as to modifying the suggestions and drawings on exhibition?

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, I am not sure that I heard what the noble Lord said; but may I assure him that when the drawings or the details of the plan for the redevelopment of the Foreign Office come into existence, I am quite sure my right honourable friend will try to give the same publicity and the same opportunity for discussion that he has been giving to the major plan. The major plan itself, if I might venture to say so, is very interesting. I went yesterday to the well-advertised meeting about the plan, at which Sir Leslie Martin and Professor Colin Buchanan were present, and I am sorry that the noble Lord could not manage to get there. If there is anything I can do to help him in ascertaining what is going on I will gladly do so.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, I again thank the noble Lord for that comment. Will he state whether, if suggestions are made other than by Sir Leslie Martin, they will be given consideration by the Government?

LORD MITCHISON

Surely, my Lords, the Government would consider any suggestions made by any person of reasonable competence including, obviously, any suggestions made by the noble Lord. We know his interest and competence in these matters. I can assure him of that. All I can say is that one must distinguish between the general plan which is now under discussion and under consideration and the various detailed schemes which will follow afterwards. There is, for instance, a scheme about Scotland Yard and Norman Shaw's work there; there is a scheme about the Foreign Office, and there are a whole variety of things which will have to be dealt with at a later stage, when there will be opportunity for discussion and criticism.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that comment.