§ 29. Mr. Bossomasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when he is compiling his next Budget, he will consider providing a reasonable sum of money which shall be at the disposal of a small independent group, similar to the Import Duties Advisory Committee, to be granted in cases of smaller old buildings of character, which after approved examination are found capable of reconditioning but cannot be so treated and now are destroyed, due to the money needed for reconditioning being more than that available from all sources on the strictly economic basis?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon)I assume that my hon. Friend has mainly in mind country cottages and I would draw his attention to the fact that Exchequer grants for reconditioning are already available under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts.
§ Mr. BossomIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases that is not 9 sufficient and that a very small, addition to the amount now allowed would preserve a tremendous number of buildings of architectural importance?
Viscountess AstorWill the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter and say that this will apply to some of the historic towns like Plymouth?
§ Sir J. SimonI can understand the importance of the matter but I think my reply covers the point.