§ Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why nearly two years elapsed since discussions with representatives of London County Council on the plan by Sir William Holford for the redevelopment of Piccadilly Circus and his decision that the proposals in their present form were not acceptable.
§ Sir K. JosephIn December, 1961, when the London County Council were informed that they might proceed on the general basis of Sir William Holford's interim report, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport specifically reserved the question of grant for further consideration. This was because of doubts, which had already been made known to the Council, about the capacity of the scheme to deal adequately with the growing traffic needs.
151WThe Council nevertheless decided to proceed with the scheme. It was not formally submitted until October, 1962. At a meeting with the Council's officers in November, officials of my right hon. Friend's and my departments agreed to consider the scheme although it showed no improved provision for growing traffic. In the light of this consideration my right hon. Friend concluded that the scheme would not makereasonable provision for the minimum increase in traffic at this heavily-loaded point and that he could not properly pay grant on it, and it was decided that it should be reconsidered by the local planning authority. Representatives of the Council were informed of this in July, 1963 —8 months after the November meeting—and this was confirmed in writing on 2nd September.