asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will oppose the London County Council's plan to extend the Alton Estate at Roehampton, in view of the harm that more tall housing blocks will do to the view from Richmond Park; and if he will make a statement.

The Department was consulted about this proposal early in 1963 and the planning authorities were informed then that the Ministry would not object to these additional blocks.

I detest building developments that reduce the amenities of the Royal Parks, and I understand that the L.C.C. will not be undertaking further schemes of this kind in the area. But these new blocks do fit into the architectural scheme of the existing blocks, and the 303 homes they represent are urgently required.

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her reply. She will be aware that many people living locally are very concerned about this. Would she have another look at it, although I realise that the homes are urgently necessary for people living in central London?

It would be wrong for me to say that we can take another look at this scheme, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I am wholly antagonistic to any amount of development around the parks. We must plan our cities with very much greater care in the future than has been done in the past.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this development is recognised internationally to be of the highest level, both architecturally and artistically? Is she aware, further, that the hon. Gentleman's attempt to prevent further county council building in my Constituency is politically rather than aesthetically motivated?

I am not in any position to intervene in this argument. I have a photograph, which I can place in the Library. On first principles we must try to have good architecture and ade- quate housing but at the same time to protect the beauty and tranquillity of our parks.