§ 26. Mr. Chapmanasked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what initiatives the Office of Arts and Libraries intends to take to promote architecture.
§ Mr. WaldegraveNone at present, Sir.
§ Mr. ChapmanAs it could be argued that architecture is one of the most important of the arts, as the public 686 cannot avoid looking at buildings, and as there is increasing public debate about the merits and demerits of modern architecture, should not my hon. Friend's Department be doing more to increase public awareness about the design of new buildings and the materials used in them?
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy hon. Friend's association, the Royal Institute of British Architects, is holding a festival of British architecture this year, at which my noble Friend is making a speech. I shall represent to my noble Friend my hon. Friend's suggestion that more should be done in this direction.