§ Queen's recommendation having been signified—
§
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 50A(1)(a),
That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase by or under the Act in the sums so payable.—[Mr. Peter Ainsworth.]
§ Question agreed to.
§ Bill immediately considered in Committee.
§ Clauses 1 to 41 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Question proposed, That clauses 42 to 53 stand part of the Bill.
§ Dr. Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Port Glasgow)A number of clauses concern buildings that have suffered severe deterioration. For example, the Gourock ropeworks in Port Glasgow is in the most appalling condition. What powers does the Minister have under clause 47 to acquire that building, or to allow the local authority to acquire it, so that it can be demolished? I am the last person to argue for a listed building to be demolished, particularly one with such a noted industrial and architectural heritage, but the Minister knows how long I have pursued this case.
If the Minister cannot answer now, I hope that he will deal with the matter under this group of clauses. For the people of Port Glasgow, that appalling situation has festered for far too long. I believe that these clauses allow the Minister to act decisively, along with Historic Scotland, to bring an end to the matter by allowing the local authority to demolish the building.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. George Kynoch)The hon. Gentleman has raised the issue of the Gourock ropeworks on numerous occasions in the past. I am sure that he is aware that this is purely a consolidation measure: the Bill does not change any legislation; it consolidates it. I take his point on board, and I shall write to him with the updated position on that building, which I know is of great concern to him.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clauses 42 to 53 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Clauses 54 to 82 ordered to stand part of the Bill.