HC Deb 22 March 1956 vol 550 cc1454-5
26. Mr. Hayman

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conditions are attached by the Treasury to its gifts of land to the National Trust in areas of outstanding scenic beauty to preserve their amenities.

Mr. H. Brooke

The only condition attached to such transfers is that the National Trust should not alienate any of the land without the prior consent of the Treasury.

Mr. Hayman

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that properties worth £380,000 have been transferred to the National Trust in the last six years and that the Trust has failed lamentably to maintain the amenities of some of these cliff lands in Cornwall? Will he look at the matter again to ensure that the Trust really matches up to its responsibilities?

Mr. Brooke

I could not accept allegations of that kind about the Trust across the Floor of the House.