§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Minister for the Arts when he intends to put the drawings of the new British Library on public display; and what steps he has taken to ensure that there has been adequate opportunity for consultation as to the architectural merits of the scheme.
§ Mr. Richard Luce[holding answer 7 July 1988]: Camden council gave planning permission for the building in June 1978 after architectural plans had been lodged with it since December 1975, and a model of the proposed building had been exhibited in Camden town hall in 1977. The Royal Fine Art Commission gave its approval to the project in January 1978 and made the comment
a brilliant solution to an extremely complex problem".An artist's drawing of the exterior of the new building will shortly be displayed in the entrance hall of the science reference section in Southampton building, Chancery lane. Later this year it will be shown in the British Library galleries at the British museum building, together with a new model of the building. A copy of the artist's drawing showing the exterior of the new building will also be displayed on the Euston road hoarding in front of the new building. Information leaflets due to be published this 16W the United Kingdom during the half-year ended 30 June of individual works of art and museum objects pre-eminent for national scientific, historic or artistic interest have been accepted in satisfaction of inheritance tax or capital transfer tax, together with information where applicable as to conditions or wishes expressed by testators or executors in the matter of allocation; whether he will list the works of art or museum objects which are still awaiting allocation, with the respective date of their acceptance in satisfaction of inheritance tax or capital transfer tax; and whether the customary press notice will be issued from the Office of Arts and Libraries covering the information given in his reply.
§ Mr. LuceThe information is as follows:
autumn will show recent progress photographs of the new building and of the artist's impressions of the finished building.
The Property Services Agency, which is managing construction of the project, is proposing to erect a public viewing platform at the south-west corner of the site during the autumn.