HC Deb 09 June 1971 vol 818 cc1030-2
25. Mrs. Fenner

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the safeguards for historic buildings in danger of arbitrary demolition.

Mr. Peter Walker

I shall certainly do so if it could be shown that there are loopholes in existing legislation.

Mrs. Fenner

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, which I do not find reassuring. In view of a much-publicised recent demolition, I had hoped that he would be prepared to look again at the safeguards and to include in a review of them another look at the safeguards for buildings which are not themselves of great historical value but which form a vital part of a street scene.

Mr. Walker

I have already announced that in certain areas we shall seek to introduce legislation so that local authorities can demand an application for planning permission for a building to be demolished. This we shall do at the earliest opportunity. On the other point mentioned by my hon. Friend, if loopholes are indicated when final examinations have taken place, we shall take action to stop them.

39. Mr. Boyden

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many retirement pensioners were admitted to the historic buildings and ancient monuments in his care at reduced rates during the last 12 months.

Mr. Amery

There is no separate record of attendances by retirement pensioners.

Mr. Boyden

Surely the right hon. Gentleman's Department admits that retirement pensioners get reduced rates? Will he tell the House which Department is making Government policy—the D.E.S., which is charging retirement pensioners for admission to museums and so on, or his Department, which lets them in at a cheaper rate? Which is the right policy?

Mr. Amery

The hon. Gentleman is well remembered for having brought to the House the concession to old-age pensioners and children. I am glad to say that in 1970 2,744,000 old-age pensioners and children were admitted to ancient monuments at half price. This is a policy with which the hon. Gentleman is closely concerned and which continues.