HL Deb 16 July 1982 vol 433 cc570-1

11.8 a.m.

The Earl of Kinnoull

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 will review the planning control of foreign embassies and consulates within the London area in view of the recent destruction of the Chinese consulate in a conservation area.

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that foreign Governments generally have a responsible and co-operative attitude with regard to proposals for the buildings they occupy and I therefore see no need to carry out such a review.

As I explained to the House in March 1981, the need for demolition of the facade of property owned by the Chinese Embassy in Portland Place arose because during the course of demolition of the rear of the building (for which consent had been granted) the district surveyor expressed concern about the structural condition of the facades; and Westminster City Council accepted that they should be taken down in the interests of public safety. The facades will, however, be rebuilt in replica.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, may I thank my noble friend for that reply? Can he say whether plans have now been submitted and when the work is likely to start on this site? Secondly, referring to the somewhat grey area between planning control of embassies and diplomatic privileges, is it possible legally to say that the Chinese consulate could acquire a building in Parliament Square and erect a pagoda?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, embassies and consulates are subject to the planning laws of this country and, although their diplomatic status can lead to the occasional problem, I do not accept that the position is anywhere as facetious as my noble friend's last suggestion implied. The present position at the Chinese Embassy is going along according to plan. I am not quite sure what state the plans have reached at this moment.

Lord Strabolgi

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether the Government are aware that the present Chinese Embassy in Portland Place has great historical associations for the Chinese and they are very anxious that it should be restored to its original state?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I hope my original Answer did not imply anything else but that the Chinese Government have accepted full planning responsibilities for that site.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that I was not being facetious irrationally? I am thinking, of course, of the Iranian Embassy. May I ask my noble friend whether the dangerous structure notice that was served on the Embassy some years ago has yet been put into effect and what is happening on the issue?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, the Iranian Embassy have been told that it is their responsibility to render the building safe. Her Majesty's Government have supported the efforts of the Westminster City Council to bring this about. We are continuing our contacts with the Iranians about who is responsible for the cost of repairs to the building. Discussions are currently in progress.