§ Mr. N. Nicolsonasked the Secretary to the Treasury to publish the further letter he has received from the Fine Art Commission about the Imperial Institute.
§ Mr. H. BrookeA letter dated 25th February, the text of which follows, has been received from the Secretary of the Royal Fine Art Commission. In reply, members of the Commission have been invited to a meeting at which the considerations which influenced Her Majesty's Government in arriving at their decision in this matter can be explained in more detail than is possible in a letter,220W and at which the proposals of Imperial College can be discussed with representatives of that body and of the University of London.
Letter dated 25th February, 1956 from the Secretary, Royal Fine Art Commission
I am directed to refer to the Financial Secretary's letter of the 20th January, addressed to the Chairman of the Commission.
On the 11th June, 1955, the Commission told the Treasury that in its opinion the Imperial Institute building was one of "outstanding significance" and "should be preserved."
It is profoundly disturbed to learn that it is now proposed to demolish the building. The Commission's opinion of its great architectural quality has been confirmed by authorities of widely different points of view in recent correspondence in the Press. It is moreover an historical monument commemorating Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and paid for by public subscription. To destroy a building of this quality and importance would be an act of vandalism. To do so could only be justified if it were proved beyond any doubt that the public interest demanded it, and that there was no possible alternative.
The Commission does not believe that this is the case. On the contrary, it sees in the evidence submitted no justification for such an action.
In its letter of the 11th June, published in Hansard of the 9th February, 1956, the Commission suggested that the main block of the Imperial Institute building might be adapted internally for use by the Imperial College, for example, as a Science Library. The building, which does not include the galleries, is shallow and occupies only a fraction of the site.
The Commission believes that this suggestion has not received full consideration, and it urges once more that it should be the subject of an impartial enquiry before a final decision is reached.
The Minister has stated that additional land would be required for the Imperial College if the Imperial Institute building were retained, and that this would be difficult to find in the neighbourhood.
If, after further inquiry, this proves to be the case, the Commission suggests that the London County Council, as Planning Authority, should be consulted on alternative neighbouring sites and on their zoning.
Until these enquiries have been made, the Commission cannot accept the contention that the necessary expansion of the Imperial College is only possible if the main building of the Imperial Institute is destroyed.
It has been made clear that this view of the Commission is shared by a large body of responsible public opinion.
The Commission wishes once again to stress the great importance of this building and urges the Government to reconsider the matter in the light of its recommendations.