§ 1. Mr. Galbraithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy regarding the replacement of listed buildings partially destroyed by fire; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Bruce Millan)This is primarily a matter between the owners and the planning authority, taking each case according to the individual circumstances.
§ Mr. GalbraithIs the Secretary of State aware of the great concern in Glasgow that the partially destroyed section of Grosvenor Terrace should be replaced so that the new facade is the same as the existing one? Will he use such powers as he possesses to ensure that a natural disaster, in this case fire, does not give grounds for changing the appearance of the building, which would not otherwise be allowed?
§ Mr. MillanI am as anxious as the hon. Gentleman that the replacement should be in keeping with the rest of the surroundings. The hotel was a category A listed building, and it is important that any replacement should be of a suitable kind. I very much hope that that point will be borne in mind by the owners and the planning authority, and, indeed, I am sure it will.
§ Miss Harvie AndersonDoes the right hon. Gentleman accept that this relates not only to the cost of getting the building reinstated to suit the surroundings but to the fact that this building is unique 410 not just in Glasgow or Scotland but in Western Europe? Therefore, it is a serious problem, because this type of architecture does not exist anywhere else.
§ Mr. MillanThe right hon. Lady is asking whether the replacement should be a replica. From an architectural point a replica. From an architectural point of view it is not for me to pronounce on the matter, but I believe that any replacement should be in accordance with the rest of the surroundings. Whether, architecturally, that turns out to be a replica of something else is not at the moment a matter for me.