§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD MOLSONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of the widespread anxiety that current pressures for redevelopment are damaging the character of our historic towns; and what steps they propose to take in the matter.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD HASTINGS)My Lords, it is the policy of the Government that the character of historic towns should be preserved, but it will, I believe, be generally recognised that in order to thrive these towns must be adapted to modern needs. There are established procedures for ensuring the preservation of the fine buildings of the past; the problem is how to provide for the necessary changes while conserving the character of each town. My right honourable friends, the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Minister of Transport, have called attention to this subject in planning bulletins published in the last two years.
A new publication is now to be prepared dealing specifically with our ancient towns and the historic areas which survive in other towns. The intention is to illustrate from detailed studies of particular places the qualities to be preserved and how current needs can best be reconciled with the retention of these qualities. The Advisory Committee on Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, under the chairmanship of Sir William Holford, will be closely associated with this work.
§ LORD MOLSONMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that this reply will give considerable satisfaction to those concerned with preservation? But, of course, the success of the bulletin will depend upon some more practical assistance being given by the Government to those local authorities who are trying at the same time to develop their towns and to preserve their historic buildings.
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his welcome to this announcement, and I will, of course, convey the latter part of his remarks to both my right honourable friends.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, can the noble Lord say what special steps will be taken for early consultation with local authorities who are much concerned? I have in mind, for example, towns like King's Lynn and Norwich, where there are very large numbers of extremely beautiful buildings some of which have already been put to very good commercial use. But a great deal of planning and co-operation at all stages is needed, in addition to the help to which the noble Lord referred. Can the Minister say something about that?
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, the planning is in its preliminary stages and I cannot tell the noble Lord yet which particular places will be chosen for this study. But, of course, when they are chosen, necessarily the local authorities will have to be consulted and the studies worked out in conjunction with them.
§ LORD ELTONMy Lords, does this mean that if the local authority concerned is not interested and does not apply for advice or study the pamphlet there is nothing the Government propose to do or can do?
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, I hope it would not mean anything of the sort, and that that situation would not arise.