§ 3.14 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy 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 approve of the proposals to alter the existing façade of the Tate Gallery.]
911§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, R.A.F. (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)My Lords, before taking a final decision on these proposals, my right honourable friends intend to examine them carefully from all points of view, in the light of views expressed by interested authorities and of reactions by honourable Members and of the public.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. May I ask whether he will impress upon his right honourable friends the great feeling of distress among members of the art world in this country that if these plans go forward the facade of this very beautiful building—which, as the noble Lord is aware, is a Victorian building but is nevertheless a unique copy of a Grecian building—will be lost?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMYes, my Lords; the view expressed by the noble Viscount has been expressed strongly to my right honourable friends.
§ LORD COTTESLOEMy Lords, can the Minister assure us that the controversy over these proposals will not be seized upon by the Government as an excuse for doing nothing whatever for an indefinite period in the future?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I can give the noble Lord that assurance.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, would my noble friend urge upon all Members of this House before making up their minds on the subject to inspect the excellent exhibition which is now being shown in the Lobby of the Committee Floor of the House?
§ LORD WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, can my noble friend say whether the building referred to is the monstrosity on the Embankment?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, this is a matter of taste and, as the noble Lord will understand, tastes differ.
§ LORD MILNEMy Lords, can the noble Lord give an indication, now or later, of whether an alternative site may be made available to the Tate Gallery?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, this is one of the factors under immediate consideration.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, following upon that reply, may I ask the noble Lord whether he could confirm my own understanding, that the Trustees of the Tate Gallery would prefer using one of the two R.A.M.C. sites adjacent to the Tate Gallery for this extension? Both in his previous capacity and in his present capacity, can the noble Lord tell us whether this has been fully investigated by Her Majesty's Government?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, on the views of the Trustees I have no opinion; I have not heard them. The possibility of using these sites is one of the factors under consideration at the moment.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, with regard to the noble Lord's reply to my first supplementary question, perhaps I can inform him that the Trustees——
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the Trustees have, in fact, informed the Ministry of Public Building and Works that this is their position?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I am now so aware.
§ LORD RAGLANMy Lords, does not my noble friend think that the long corridors of this House would make an excellent picture gallery?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, that is another question.