HC Deb 30 July 1957 vol 574 cc156-7W
102. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what information he obtained, in coming to his decision not to intervene in the granting of planning authority by the London County Council for the demolition of the St. James's Theatre, concerning the identity of the new owner of the site and the purposes for which the site is intended to be used.

Mr. H. Brooke

The London County Council have given no permission for the demolition of this theatre. Permission is not required for that, but permission has been given by the Council to use the site for offices. I saw no reason to seek particular information about the present ownership of the site, because the identity of the owner is not relevant to the planning issue.

109. Mr. Teeling

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the feeling shown in the provinces and especially in towns where the theatre is particularly prominent such as in Brighton, where over 2,000 people have signed a petition which is being forwarded to him asking him to do all in his power to save the St. James's Theatre, and in view of the fact that it is not considered desirable to make a financial appeal to save this theatre, he will reconsider his decision not to provide the money necessary to compensate those who have bought the site of the St. James's Theatre.

Mr. H. Brooke

It is the London County Council who would be involved in the payment of compensation if the permissions which have been given to build offices on this site were revoked. Exchequer grant at the rate of 50 per cent. would be payable, and so in effect the cost would fall as to half on the London ratepayers and half on taxpayers generally. The Council were not themselves prepared to make a revocation order, and after careful consideration I decided that I should not be justified in directing them to do so. It is net the case that, if a revocation order were made and compensation paid, this would ensure the continued running of the St. James's Theatre as a theatre.