HL Deb 18 September 1972 vol 335 cc721-2
LORD STRABOLGI

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 able to announce details of the proposed alternative uses for the rooms in the North block of Somerset House.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY or STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)

Not yet, my Lords. Studies are still in hand to determine the most appropriate use.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, may I ask the Government when they intend to come to a decision, as it is almost a year since the announcement was made in another place that the Government very rightly intended to we these beautiful rooms for an appropriate artistic purpose and for the benefit and enjoyment of the public? Secondly, may I ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would consider using some of these rooms for displaying some of the British historical paintings at present in the Tate?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, it is true that my right honourable friend announced on November 30 that these rooms would cease to be used for clerical and registry purposes. He announced by way of a Press notice on April 28 that he had agreed that the British Theatre Museum and others concerned with theatre collections could make a study of the possibility of using the fine rooms and associated offices of Somerset House for a theatre centre, including a museum. We are awaiting the results of that study. That is not to say that a large number of other proposals have not been made which are all still open at the present time.