§ 34. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many houses in the Church Street redevelopment area of Twickenham are in the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest, and how many in the supplementary list if he is satisfied that the existing machinery enables him to safeguard the character of this area as a whole; and what point has now been reached in the discussion of this redevelopment between his Department, the local authority, and the Royal Fine Art Commission.
§ Sir K. JosephAt present two houses appear in the statutory list and ten in the supplementary list, but my right hon. Friend has recently given notice of his intention to transfer three houses from the supplementary to the statutory list and to add two unlisted buildings to that list. Responsibility for safeguarding the character of the area rests primarily on the local planning authority and my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the 817 existing machinery is adequate. He has not been concerned in the discussions between the local authority and the Royal Fine Art Commission.
§ Mr. DribergDoes what the Minister has just said mean that the local authority can no longer acquire houses and then pull them down on the pretext that they cannot be restored or modernised? Will he realise—I am sure he does—that this is the last really un-spoilt Thames-side village near London? Will he do his utmost to make sure that its character is preserved?
§ Sir K. JosephNo listed building can be demolished without reference to my right hon. Friend.