HC Deb 19 June 1967 vol 748 cc1094-6
6. Mr. Allason

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he has taken in 1967 to ensure a more economic use of historic buildings in his charge.

Mr. Prentice

Visits by the public for which an admission charge is made are generally the most economic use of an historic building unless it is fully occupied. Steps taken in 1967 to improve revenue from admission fees include a review of admission charges, the planning of a national exhibition, improved designs for standard guide books, and performances of Son-et-Lumiere.

Mr. Allason

Will the Minister tell us how many derelict buildings he has in his charge, and what efforts are made to make them habitable? When they are habitable they can be preserved.

Mr. Prentice

I am not sure to what category of buildings the hon. Member is referring. Many of the buildings to which I was referring are ancient monuments, and it would clearly be quite wrong to rehabilitate these and build them in a modern form. We preserve them as they have come down to us, and people visit them to see them in that condition. We take every care to look after them, but do not rebuild them.

13. Mr. Allason

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what progress he has made, in consultation with the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in producing a co-ordinated national policy for the better preservation and use of historic buildings.

Mr. Prentice

My functions in respect of historic buildings were transferred to my right hon. Friend last summer. My architects and inspectors of ancient monuments continue to provide the Historic Buildings Council with assistance in discharge of its duty. There is at all times the fullest co-ordination between the two Departments.

Mr. Allason

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the Government's policy to assist the better preservation of the centres of old towns, by way of making new uses of old buildings?

Mr. Prentice

My right hon. Friend is carrying out certain pilot studies in this connection, and the hon. Gentleman should put a Question down to him, if he wants more detail, because it is his responsibility. It is because he has this particular responsibility that the Historic Buildings Council now reports to him. It was transferred to him by Order last year so that the work could be better co-ordinated within my right hon. Friend's Department.