§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will substantiate the statement of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of National Heritage that "Her Majesty the Queen was consulted about the plans to pedestrianise the area in front of Buckingham Palace" (H.L. Deb. 7th March, col. 114).
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of National Heritage (Viscount Astor)Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
48WALetter to Lord Stoddart of Swindon from the Chief Executive of the Royal Parks Agency, Mr. David Welch, dated 15 March 1995:
I have been asked by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for National Heritage to reply to your Question about consulting Her Majesty the Queen about the pedestrianisation of the area in front of Buckingham Palace.
I can confirm that when the agency first drew up proposals for the scheme, we consulted Her Majesty. Westminster City Council consulted the Lord Chamberlain's office during the planning approval procedures. Subsequently we have kept the Lord Chamberlain's office fully informed of progress.