HC Deb 21 March 1967 vol 743 cc233-4W
Mr. Sandys

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the Report on the future use or uses of the Broad Sanctuary site will be published; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Greenwood

Sir Robert Matthew's Report is published today and copies are available for hon. Members in the Vote Office. I should like to express my warm appreciation to Sir Robert for his valuable Report.

Sir Robert found that the future of this site, although connected with the wider question of the planning of Whitehall, could be considered separately and that Broad Sanctuary itself needed to be comprehensively planned.

He found that on the evidence available at the Inquiry insufficient claims had been made out to justify removal of the two Institutions (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Institution of Civil Engineers). He suggested immediate investigation of possible State, Government and public space requirements eminently suitable for this site and of the appropriate provision for tourists and visitors. If no reasonable claims for space resulted from this investigation he thought it incontrovertible that the Institutions should remain and that comprehensive planning should proceed accordingly. This planning he thought might be carried out in two stages; first, a study of potential uses and traffic im- plications; and second, a study of alternative comprehensive plans.

The Government accept Sir Robert's main conclusions. They have reviewed the need for public buildings on this site in the light of his Report.

They have decided that it would be inappropriate to use the site for offices, but have confirmed that part of it should be used for a Government Conference Centre. They will, as Sir Robert has recommended, investigate the possibility of some sharing of conference facilities between the Institutions and the Government.

They accept also Sir Robert's recommendation for an investigation into the needs of tourists and visitors which he thought must cover the wider area of Central London. I shall be making arrangements for this with the Greater London Council, the British Travel Association and other bodies concerned. They consider, however, that such provision as may be shown to be necessary on this site is unlikely to be great enough to affect the major uses.

Since, therefore, the Government see no need to require the removal of the two Institutions, Sir Robert Matthew's recommendation for comprehensive planning can go forward at once. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works and I will be consulting the local authorities and the Institutions about this.

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