HC Deb 20 November 1974 vol 881 cc458-9W
Mr. Baker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will submit the application of the Cuban Embassy to convert a residential house, No. 64 Marlborough Place, into a school to a public inquiry;

(2) if he will make proposals designed to ensure that planning applications by foreign embassies conform to the laws and procedures which have to be followed by British citizens;

(3) when he expects to come to a decision on the proposal by the Cuban Embassy to convert a residential house, No. 64 Marlborough Place, N.W.8, into a school;

(4) whether, in view of the damaging effect of the conversion of 64 Marlborough Place, N.W.8, into a school on the conservation area and on the peace and quiet of neighbouring residents, he will reject the application by the Cuban Embassy;

(5) whether he will receive a deputation of local residents about the conversion of 64 Marlborough Place into a school by the Cuban Embassy.

Mr. John Silkin

It has been accepted for many years that foreign Governments are not exempt from planning control. I have decided that a public inquiry should be held into the planning application for the Cuban Embassy School and I cannot anticipate the outcome. In these circumstances it would not be right to receive a deputation.