§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
How long ago the old Westminster Hospital and adjoining sites became vacant; and whether any plans exist for the future use of this land.
§ Baroness BIRKThe Broad Sanctuary site, originally the site of the old Westminster Hospital, was bought by the Government just after the war. Successive Governments have had plans prepared for its development. Designs for a Government conference centre drawn up in 1960 were overtaken in the mid and late 1960s by proposals for wholesale redevelopment of the area. Comprehensive development of this kind is now out of sympathy with current ideas on conservation and the Government are considering proposals on a smaller scale. Any decision will have to be taken in the context of the prevailing economic situation.