§ 35. Miss Horsbrughasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the representations made to him about the desirability of preserving houses which, though unfit, present features of architectural or historic interest?
§ Mr. ElliotI have considered the representations made to me by the Edinburgh Corporation on this matter, and I have now informed them that I shall be glad to consider giving assistance under the Acts of 1930 or 1935 for new houses in which a local authority may incorporate features of architectural, historic or artistic interest belonging to existing buildings on the site.
§ Mr. PalingDoes this apply to the houses to which the right hon. Gentleman referred this afternoon?
§ Mr. ElliotIf they come under the rule which I have stated, certainly that would be so.
§ Mr. HannahDoes that mean that the old walls could be preserved?
§ Mr. ElliotAny case will be examined ad hoc and if it were thought desirable to preserve any feature such as an old wall it could be preserved under the ruling I have given.
Mr. DavidsonMay I take it that the duty of the committee will be to see that the needs of a modern community are first attended to?