§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have over-ridden the advice of English Heritage in respect of the demolition of a staircase inside the Foreign Office building, and, if so, on whose advice.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)The FCO accepted the advice of their design team, which has worked closely over the past nine years with English Heritage on this historic refurbishment and restoration project, that the removal of a staircase within an internal courtyard was the only practicable way lo provide essential space for the library and to improve circulation and services in that part of the building. This decision was approved by the Westminster City Planning Committee on 7th November 1991.