§ Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether, following the Written Answer given by Baroness Trumpington on 25th May last (col. 584), they will not consider themselves satisfied that the views of interested parties on the proposed development of the Royal Opera House have been taken fully into account unless the Royal Opera House authorities have received the views of, and met representatives of, the Theatres Trust, the Association of British Theatre Technicians, the Covent Garden Community Association and the Covent Garden Trust.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Hesketh)My Lords, the development board of the Royal Opera House has had, and will continue to have, wide consultations on its proposals and it is open to all interested parties to make representations to it. When final proposals are received from the opera house my right honourable friend the Minister for the Arts will take all views into account.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, I am most grateful for that Answer. May I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that since the original Question was tabled discussions have taken place between the Theatres Trust and the authorities of the Royal Opera House, and that they have been very satisfactory? So far as the development proposals are concerned, it seems likely that on the second try a project will come forward which will lead to a much better development of the Royal Opera House than at first seemed likely. Therefore, that is very satisfactory from that point of view.
However, is the Minister also aware that there are other organisations—for example, the Covent Garden Community Association—who have much wider concerns relating not only to the opera house itself but to the consequential effects of its development? Will the Minister make sure that those organisations are given equal access to the Royal Opera House authorities, and that their views are taken into account as much as the views of the Theatres Trust have been?
I will not say anything further—
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, I will not ask any further questions because the noble Lord, Lord 960 Rippon, who I believe is chairman of the Covent Garden Trust, is in his place, and that makes further questions from me unnecessary.
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I am sure that all Members of your Lordships' House will be very happy that the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins, is happy with the scheme. I can assure the noble Lord that the Royal Opera House authorities have been in touch with the Covent Garden Community Association. As the noble Lord pointed out, the authorities of the Royal Opera House have recently had discussions with the Theatres Trust and are preparing to meet the Association of British Theatre Technicians and the Covent Garden Trust.
§ Lord Rippon of HexhamMy Lords, my interest as chairman of the Covent Garden Trust having been duly declared, may I express my satisfaction and pleasure at the Answer given by my noble friend? Is he aware that we are all very grateful that wide discussions are now taking place? There is one question I should like to ask. Is my noble friend aware that there is considerable anxiety about the proposal to have an underground car park? The Department of Transport has said that it has not been consulted. Will my noble friend ensure that it is?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I shall certainly bring those comments to the attention of my noble friend Lord Brabazon.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, in answering my supplementary question the noble Lord missed out the Covent Garden Community Association. It is important that it should be treated equally and have the same consultation as other bodies. Will the Minister give an assurance to that effect?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I understand that the Royal Opera House authorities are in regular touch with the Covent Garden Community Association.