§ 9. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the Government's policy concerning the preservation of buildings of historic interest or architectural distinction affected by schemes of urban redevelopment.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Sir Keith Joseph)The Government's policy is to encourage the preservation of these buildings, unless there are positive reasons for permitting demolition that outweigh the historic or architectural importance of the particular building.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonBut is the Government's policy effective? Is my hon. Friend not aware of a widespread impression that many buildings of beauty and distinction are being bulldozed out of existence merely because it is cheaper for the developer to make a clean sweep of the site?
§ Sir K. JosephNo, that is not my impression. I am confident that the machinery ensures that no building such as my hon. Friend describes is sacrificed unless that is absolutely essential in the national interest.