HL Deb 03 August 1972 vol 334 cc455-6

3.17 p.m.

LORD SEGAL

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 what is their attitude towards the construction of an underground car park adjoining the new Green Park Underground station.

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, my right honourable friend has no plans to build such a car park.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether, while the Government have declared themselves against an underground car park under St. James's Park and under Kensington Gardens, they can be equally forthcoming on the subject of Green Park?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I should not have thought it was possible to be any more forthcoming than I have just been. My right honourable friend has no plans to build such a car park.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that something ought to be done to relieve the congestion at present caused by motor coaches all the way down Constitution Hill and along the Mall? Could not something also be done to encourage motor drivers to leave their cars in the West End and travel to the City by public transport?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, the noble Lord is now raising much wider issues. I agree that there is certainly scope for looking into all these matters, and I can confirm that they are being looked into.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether the Government will look into the question of constructing underground car parks—if we must have them—under open spaces where there are no trees? Will the Government study what has been done in Paris?

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, my Lords.

BARONESS STOCKS

My Lords, may I ask a supplementary question on the matter of Green Park? Can the noble Lord explain the immense works that are going on there with bulldozers, and much else, at Green Park well behind the extended Tube station? Is that anything to do with a projected car park?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, as I have said, there is no plan to build a car park there. The work to which the noble Baroness has referred is in connection with the construction of the Fleet Line.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, can the noble Lord inform the House whether it is intended to restore Green Park to its original attractive appearance, and when this is likely to be completed?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, the London Transport Executive are likely to require the site until 1976. Certainly, as soon as they have finished with it the Park will be restored.