HC Deb 20 April 1964 vol 693 c119W
3. Mr. Longden

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what progress he has made in his proposals for redevelopment in the Whitehall area.

Mr. Rippon

I am appointing Sir Leslie Martin to act as consultant for the Whitehall area. He will be authorised to associate with himself such consultants for particular aspects of the problem as he may desire. Following are his terms of reference:

  1. 1. The commission is to act as consultant, with such associates as are appropriate, to ensure that the various proposals which are under consideration for redevelopment in the Whitehall area are related to each other and have regard to the general architectural character of the area, taking relevant traffic considerations into accounts; and to report.
  2. 2. The area for consideration is centred on Parliament Square, Bridge Street and Whitehall. In respect of traffic, the surrounding area may have to be brought into consideration.
  3. 3. The Government have decided to rebuild the Foreign Office block. It is also intended to redevelop the Richmond Terrace/Bridge Street site to provide accommodation for Parliament and for Government Offices. Advice is required on the relationship of a new Parliamentary building to the present precincts of the Palace of Westminster, including in particular the question whether Bridge Street should be re-aligned.
  4. 4. The consultant should look ahead to the possibility of the eventual redevelopment of other buildings in the area, such as the King Charles Street/ Great George Street block of Government offices and the former War Office building, and the consequences which flow from this.
  5. 5. Consultations will be required throughout with the Government Departments and other authorities principally concerned.
  6. 6. In connection with the provision of new accommodation for Parliament, the consultant should hold himself available to assist Mr. Speaker's Advisory Committee on Accommodation.
  7. 7. Architects will be appointed in due course for new building schemes on the Foreign Office and Bridge Street/Richmond Terrace sites. These architects will be required to develop their schemes having regard to the plan and arrangements adopted for the area generally as a result of the consultant's advice They will be responsible for the design of their particular buildings; this will not be the responsibility of the consultant,