§ 2. Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will take steps to produce more effective protection to the amenities and surroundings of historic buildings officially listed as of merit and the subject of expenditure by his Department.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Public Building and Works (Mr. James Boyden)Planning control over the amenities and surroundings of historic buildings, whether or not they are the subject of expenditure by this Department, is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, whose Department recently reminded local planning authorities of the need to take special care in dealing 979 with proposals for development near historic buildings.
§ Mr. CookeSurely the Minister does care about what happens to the surroundings of places which his Ministry has to preserve? Is not he aware that this is a great recommendation of the Gowers Report and the one which has not been implemented? Will he please bear that in mind?
§ Mr. BoydenThe answer to the first part of the supplementary question is, "Of course".