§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would consider issuing advice to all planning authorities having jurisdiction over our beautiful villages, to do their utmost to prevent the beauty of these precious places being destroyed by the erection of ill-placed housing estates or inappropriate buildings in the midst of these irreplaceable and typically British scenes.]
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, it is a vital aim of planning that new buildings in villages should be carefully sited and designed so that they do not spoil their surroundings. My right honourable friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government believes that local planning authorities have this constantly in mind. The subject is dealt with in a booklet called New Houses in the Country, which he published last year. I shall be glad to send the noble Lord copies of the 2 booklet and of the accompanying circular to local authorities.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that comparatively recently the Minister has gone exactly opposite to the recommendation made to him by his own officials that he should not allow this sort of thing, and has allowed it to go ahead in two particular cases?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I was not aware of that, but if my noble friend would let me have the details of the two cases, I should, of course, be glad to take them up with my right honourable friend.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, I thank my noble friend very much indeed for that answer. Would it not be worth while strongly recommending that further consideration be given in these cases instead of their being casually answered and let go, because we are losing something we can never replace once they have gone?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I should like to say only that the Minister believes, and believes strongly, that the best way of securing improvement is by way of general advice, encouragement and education of public opinion, and that he takes every opportunity to encourage good design and the use by local authorities of architects and landscape architects. Indeed he is instituting this year a special award with that in mind.