§ Mr. Heathasked the Prime Minister what progress has been made with the proposal that the United Kingdom Government should make a contribution to the development of Canberra.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the House was informed on 13th March, 1963, by the then Prime Minister it was suggested to the Australian Government that the United Kingdom Government should make a gift to mark the Golden Jubilee of Canberra which was being celebrated that year. After consultations with the Government of Australia it has finally been decided that the gift should take the form of a structure housing a carillon. This will stand on Aspen Island on Lake Burley Griffin within the central area in Canberra known as the Parliamentary Triangle.
It has also been agreed that three selected Australian and three United Kingdom architects should be invited to take part in a limited competition for the design of the United Kingdom gift.
It is estimated that the cost of the gift including the competition will be about £200,000. Parliament will be asked in due course to approve the amount required in this financial year by means of a Supplementary Estimate. In the meantime an advance will if necessary be sought from the Civil Contingencies Fund.