HC Deb 13 April 1972 vol 834 c227W
Mr. Money

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a further statement regarding his plans for the future of Somerset House.

Mr. Amery

Not yet.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider reassembling the paintings exhibited at the original opening for the reopening of the public rooms of Somerset House.

Mr. Amery

My Department has no readily available information about the pictures that were shown at the first Royal Academy exhibition in Somerset House, nor of their present whereabouts and ownership. If the hon. Member has the necessary information I will gladly consider his suggestion, but I suspect that the reassembly of an exhibition mounted nearly 200 years ago would be a monumental task.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what public consultations he has had with individuals and groups as to the future use of the sections of Somerset House he intends to free from Civil Service occupancy.

Mr. Amery

I have had no public consultations, but I have received a very large number of suggestions from Members of Parliament, organisations, and private individuals. TheEvening Standard has also passed on to me the suggestions it received during the course of its campaign. My colleagues and I are taking these ideas into our consideration of the future use of the fine rooms.