24. Mr. J. Wellsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he has taken and intends to take to publicise the provisions of the Local Authorities (Historic Buildings) Act, 1962.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. F. V. Corfield)My right hon. Friend sent a circular about this Act to local authorities in December last and also referred to it in the Annual Report of the Ministry for 1962.
Mr. WellsIs my hon. Friend aware that circulars sent to local authorities achieve no publicity whatever in the nation? Is he further aware that a large number of farm houses and other minor buildings which are, nevertheless, buildings of important historic interest, might well benefit under this Act if wider publicity were given to it in the country?
§ Mr. CorfieldI assure my hon. Friend that a very great deal of publicity was given to this Act when it was before Parliament. All the evidence is that the powers are widely known, certainly among the major preservation societies. Indeed, copies of the circular have been in heavy demand. It has had to be reprinted, and is almost a best seller.