HC Deb 13 November 1963 vol 684 c3W
Sir P. Agnew

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what progress he has made with his plans for the accommodation of the Foreign Office.

Mr. Rippon

In my reply on 18th December, 1962, to the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond), I outlined a scheme to repair and modernise the building occupied by the Foreign Office, the Commonwealth Relations Office and the Home Office.

It has become apparent, after further study, that any attempt to retain the present building even with such modernisation as would be possible structurally, would be uneconomic and would fail to provide accommodation suitable for present-day conditions, let alone for future requirements.

I have therefore decided to demolish the existing building in due course and to construct on the same site an entirely new building. The intention is that it should house the whole of the staffs of the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth RelationsOffice, who are at present scattered through many separate buildings. The Home Office, including staff not now in buildings in Whitehall, will move into other new accommodation in the Whitehall area.