No. 2 Marsham Street (Hansard, 11 December 1991)

§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Baroness Blatch)
My Lords, we are currently evaluating a range of options for the future of No. 2 Marsham Street. The evaluation is taking into account the likely future demand for government office space in central London. A decision on the future of the building will be announced once the work is complete. I cannot give a precise date for the conclusion of deliberations.

§ Lord Peyton of Yeovil
My Lords, I am slightly grateful for that reply. When the almost endless process of evaluating options is concluded, will my noble friend come forward with an assurance that large sums of money will not be spent prolonging the life of that hideous building? Such an assurance would be a great contribution to the environment of London as a whole and to the Marsham Street locality in particular.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I give my noble friend an absolute assurance that the environment of that area of London is an essential part of the considerations for determining the future of the site.

§ Lord Dean of Beswick
My Lords, bearing in mind that within half a mile another substantial government building—the DTI building in Victoria Street—now lies empty and forlorn, what has brought about that situation? Is it over provision and bad planning? If so, is it not (he case that the taxpayer is being called upon to meet expenditure which could have been avoided if the future had been planned properly?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, the Question is specifically concerned with the future of No, 2 Marsham Street. It is a fairly universally held view that it is not the most attractive building in London. It is not unknown also that it is not a building of great quality. It seems timely to consider its future. If it remains standing, considerable sums of money must be spent on it. My noble friend made an important point which must bear on the considerations for its future.

§ Lord Dean of Beswick
My Lords, was not the building built during the last term of office of Mr. Heseltine as Secretary of State for the Environment?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, absolutely not. The party of the noble Lord opposite is not free from blame. The building was erected on the site of the very first public gas works. Had a listing system been in place, it is likely that I or any of my predecessors would not have allowed the demolition of the gas works. I am not sure which is worse.

§ Lord Glenamara
My Lords, is there any reason why that huge department should be in London? Is it not a perfect example of a government department which should be moved to the provinces? If the Government are interested, I should be happy to supply them with a list of sites in the North of England.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, that will be an extremely important consideration when deciding the building's future. There is a serious question as to whether we need that many people sited in central London.

§ Lord Mellish
My Lords, while we all recognise that the present Marsham Street building is an absolute eyesore, perhaps I may ask this question. Can the Minister give an assurance that when the Department of Transport moves from there—and I hope that an announcement will be made very soon—care will be taken to make sure that the department does not become mixed up with housing matters and that housing does not become mixed up with public buildings and works? Those are different and separate bodies. Why, when the old Ministry of Public Buildings and Works was wiped out, were people of the new department re-housed in so shocking a place?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, who will occupy any building is tied up with the previous question. We have to think fundamentally about whether we need so many people in central London and, indeed, whether we need all those people in any event.

§ Lord Peston
My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that several of us live in Marsham Street? Ghastly though the building is, even more ghastly is the thought that we shall have to live through yet another demolition and rebuilding of a building. Our lives have been blighted for several years by recent developments. I could stand the unaesthetic quality of the building if only I could have a little peace and quiet.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I am not certain that I agree with the noble Lord. I believe that there will be some excitement if it is decided to demolish No. 2 Marsham Street. It is one of a range of options. I believe, however, that there is some support for the disappearance of the building from the London scene.

§ Lord Tordoff
My Lords, so that the noble Baroness will be aware that there is support on all sides of the House, will she ensure that total demolition is high on the list of options?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I cannot be specific as to where it is on the list of options, but I can say that there is huge support for it.

§ Lord Peyton of Yeovil
My Lords, if someone were to suggest that the Treasury should be re-housed in the building, would that not expedite a decision?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, that is an intriguing idea which is not without its attractions.

§ Lord Tordoff
My Lords, further to that, perhaps it would be possible for the Treasury to be re-housed there before the building were blown up.