HL Deb 28 April 1988 vol 496 c297

3.13 p.m.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the permitted planning uses for the County Hall, London SE1.

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, an authoritative answer on the permitted planning uses for the County Hall can be given only by the local planning authority which is the London Borough of Lambeth. I understand that in the light of the recent judgment the established use for County Hall is the exercise of local government statutory functions.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer which Londoners will be pleased to hear. Can he confirm that the Government have no intention of attempting to overturn the judgment made in the courts on 28th March when London government was established as being the only valid use, a judgment which in many respects humiliated the Secretary of State?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State is considering what action to take.