§ 50. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has completed his consideration of new arrangements for the management of Alexandra Palace and grounds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanIn reaching a decision about the future of Alexandra Park and Palace my overriding concern has been to ensure that its immense potentialities are developed for the benefit of London as a whole.
I have given careful thought to the various views put to me. The London boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Islington favour a continuance of the trustee system and the Greater London Council are also willing to co-operate in a reconstituted trust. I am advised, however, that within the powers available it would not be possible to reconstitute the Trust on any basis which would provide a fully satisfactory administration for the future.
In order to secure that the best use is made of this very valuable asset I have therefore decided to vest the Park and Palace in the Greater London Council alone. I recognise that this decision may cause some disappointment to the London boroughs whose predecessors were instrumental in saving the Park and Palace for the public but I have no doubt that both in their long-term planning and their day-to-day administration the Greater London 41W Council will make suitable arrangements to keep in touch with them.
I have today written to all those concerned to inform them of my decision and I shall be bringing the necessary order before Parliament as soon as possible.