HC Deb 20 April 1964 vol 693 cc127-8W
45. Mr. Driberg

asked the hon. Member for Dover, as Second Church Estates Commissioner, if, in view of the expressed opposition of the Dean and Chapter to the impending obstruction by a commercial building of part of the façade of St. Paul's Cathedral, and the widespread public anxiety about this matter, the Church Commissioners, being largely concerned with this development, will take the initiative in reopening the question of the siting and height of the obstruction.

Sir John Arbuthnot

No.

The Church Commissioners are under a contractual liability to conform exactly to the approved plan prepared by Sir William Holford. It will be of interest to note that the contract, inter alia, stipulates that when the building is complete the Commissioners will provide, free of any rent, some 13,000 square feet of floor space for use by the public for viewing the Cathedral.

Planning consent would become void if any alteration were made in the plan.