§ Mr. BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make a statement on the development and progress of the Masterplan for the South Bank; [142628]
(2) what discussion he has had with the South Bank Board on the implementation of the Masterplan for the South Bank; if building under Jubilee Gardens and upon the Hungerford Car Park site is envisaged in the plan; and if he will make a statement. [142597]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 14 December 2000]: I welcomed the publication of the masterplan earlier this year as a major opportunity to secure a bright future for visitors, residents, artists and performers in this most important location. The masterplan contains a number of options upon which decisions have yet to be made. Some options involve building under Jubilee Gardens and upon the Hungerford Car Park site. The implementation of the masterplan is a complex process involving many stakeholders, and an admirably comprehensive public consultation process has been carried out by the development team. I meet the Chairman and Chief Executive of the South Bank Centre on a regular basis to keep in touch with developments, and look forward to continued progress towards the realisation of the masterplan.