§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Public Building and Works, in view of the Government's decision to approve the broad concept of the Martin-Buchanan plan for the redevelopment of Whitehall without committing themselves to accept all its proposals, whether, while not delaying the erection on the Bridge Street site of a Parliamentary Annexe and Government offices, he will hold a public inquiry to examine the longer-term aspects of the plan, including the 337W proposals to demolish the Treasury Building in Great George Street, to construct a bridge across Parliament Street, to build a block of flats extending across Embankment Gardens, to demolish the Middlesex Guildhall, to create an exhibition centre in Parliament Square, and to accommodate several thousand more civil servants in Whitehall; and whether he will now formally consult the Greater London Council and the Westminster City Council regarding those parts of the plan which affect their responsibilities.
§ Mr. C. PannellStatements I made on 19th July and 3rd November represent firm decisions, but I have always said that I would not rule out inquiries into certain longer-term aspects of the plan and I hope to announce one such inquiry during the next few days.
The Government will take full account of the planning responsibilities of the Greater London Council and the Westminster City Council and will consult them on all appropriate occasions. The Greater London Council have already been asked to consider the road proposals. It is not proposed in the foreseeable future to demolish the Middlesex Guildhall.