§ Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will withdraw his consent to the demolition of certain buildings in Lincoln's Inn and Bishop's Court, London, W.C.2, and their replacement in exact replica; if he will take note of the expert opinion, to which his attention has been drawn, that the facades of these buildings can be preserved and that the existing interior is of high architectural importance and can reasonably be adapted to current needs; and if he will consult the local authorities 269W concerned, and the owners of the buildings, with a view to preserving and adapting them, as suggested, or, if necessary, replacing them by a building harmonious in scale with its neighbours but modern in design.
§ Mr. GreenwoodNo. This was a difficult and important case and I reached my decision only after the most careful examination of all the circumstances including expert opinion on the possibility of retaining and adapting the existing buildings. This opinion was in some respects conflicting but I was left in no doubt that a satisfactory and economically viable reconstruction of the interior was impracticable if the exterior were retained.
A change of decision would involve a revocation order which I could not contemplate making. Neither the G.L.C. nor either of the London boroughs concerned suggested or initiated the making of a building preservation order.