§ 86. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to what extent the proposed change in the site for the National Theatre from the area adjoining Waterloo Bridge to that adjacent to County Hall will affect the scheme for developing the Science Centre on the South Bank; and whether he will make a further statement with regard to progress in connection with the latter scheme, which has already been approved in principle by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. MolsonThe proposed change of site for the National Theatre will in no way affect the carrying out of the decision to build a Science Centre on the South Bank. The site proposed for the Science Centre is downstream from Waterloo Bridge; both the old and new sites for the Theatre are upstream. As regards the second part of the Question, my hon. Friend will be aware, from the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works on 17th December last, that the planning of the Centre has had to be deferred in view of the need for economy. He may, however, rest assured that my noble Friend appreciates180W the importance of this project, which he fully intends to pursue when economic conditions permit.