§ 74. Mr. Vernonasked the Under secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the Lord President of the Council, who is responsible for planning the National Science Centre in London; and what progress is being made.
§ Mr. de FreitasMy noble Friend the Lord President of the Council is responsible, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Local Government and Planning and the Minister of Works. At the present preparatory stage attention is being concentrated on assessing the precise accommodation requirements and the best and most economical means of meeting them, and upon negotiations for a site. A committee of the-Advisory Council on Scientific Policy has fully examined the problem of making provision for a National Library of 41W Science and Invention within the Centre, and has made recommendations to my noble Friend.
Hon. Members will recall the warning of the then Lord President of the Council on 21st November last that a start cannot be made on the Centre until resources can be found and that there are many other urgent claims.