§ 85. Sir H. Linsteadasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has completed his consideration of the report of the committee he appointed to consider a new Queen's Hall; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThis valuable report has been carefully considered, and I would like to express appreciation of the able way in which the Committee have fulfilled their task.
It has been decided, in the light of the Committee's closely reasoned arguments, to abandon the Queen's Hall project. It has also been decided to accept their recommendation that a comprehensive survey of the needs for cultural building in London and the rest of the country is needed, and I am glad to say that the Arts Council are willing to undertake this task. This decision should not be taken as indicating that increased funds will necessarily be forthcoming in the future for these purposes, but it will be valuable to this and future Governments to have expert advice as to the order of priorities between the many claimants for assistance. This survey will include within its scope the London Society's plan for a music centre in Regent's Park.
In due course, any loss to the Commissioners of Crown Lands in respect of the Queen's Hall and St. George's Hall site 336W which is attributable to the intervention of the Government will be assessed and the House will be invited, if necessary, to vote a compensatory payment to the Commissioners to offset that loss.