HC Deb 05 May 1913 vol 52 cc1701-2W
Mr. HARRIS

asked the Postmaster-General whether any suggestion has been made that, in the case of the erection of new buildings on the site of the old General Post Office in St. Martin's-le-Grand, the Government should co-operate with the local authorities in effecting a widening of that thoroughfare by the surrender of a portion of the land free of cost; whether such surrender could take place without any interference with the plans of the new building; and whether he can give any indication that a satisfactory arrangement can be made between His Majesty's Government and the local authorities concerned?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I have received from the Corporation of London proposals for the allocation of parts of the site of the old General Post Office to street improvements, and these proposals are receiving careful consideration by myself and the First Commissioner of Works, in conjunction with the Treasury. The surrender of land proposed would necessitate considerable interference with the plans of the new building, which had been provisionally made. The land was purchased for the Post Office out of the public revenue, and any transfer of part of it to the corporation for road widening would have to be made by way of sale.