HC Deb 16 February 1954 vol 523 c192W
71. Sir A. Bossom

asked the Minister of Works the size of the programme for rebuilding offices in the City of London, and the principles on which he selects projects for inclusion in the programme.

Sir D. Eccles

I propose to license sufficient buildings in the City to reach and maintain a balanced output of about £1 million of work a month. On present indications we should achieve this figure towards the end of this year or early in 1955. The programme will be kept at this level by issuing batches of licences from time to time and I hope to give to the developers concerned advance notice of the intention to issue a licence.

There are two main classes of applications for licences: those for concerns who are engaged on work of outstanding importance and need new offices, and those where the offices will be built for general letting. The latter can only be satisfactorily selected on planning grounds, and I have asked the City Corporation to suggest priorities to me. I have told the Corporation that I will issue licences by areas if that will help to achieve coherent design and development.