HC Deb 09 May 1984 vol 59 cc881-2
27. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will initiate a study on the potential damage inflicted on cathedrals and churches of historic interest by environmental factors.

Mr. Waldegrave

My Department has supported a number of studies of the effects of air pollution on historic buildings. Proposals for further work are under consideration.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable evidence to show that substantial damage is being inflicted on cathedrals and churches due to vibrations, which are caused, notably, by increasingly heavy lorries? That problem is being made much worse by this Government's policies. Will the hon. Gentleman take this matter very seriously and institute an independent inquiry into it?

Mr. Waldegrave

Until now the principal research that my Department has been funding has concerned the effects of air pollution on historic buildings. There are new proposals in hand, which include Wells cathedral and Bolsover castle. However, I shall see what research is under way into the problems raised by the hon. Gentleman, and review the matter.

Sir John Biggs-Davison

Has not much more damage been done to many churches by modernist clergy?

Mr. Waldegrave

I think that my hon. Friend must have asked me that question before, because he knows the answer that I should like to give.

Dr. David Clark

Is the Minister conceding that acid rain is damaging many of our historic buildings? If so, will he take a little more action in that regard?

Mr. Waldegrave

As I said in response to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton), that is the principal aim of our research, and we are increasing research in that area. With regard to the Warren Spring report, it is very important to get coverage of information into urban as well as rural areas. The Department is reviewing that matter.