§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy 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 can state who is supposed to benefit when permission is given to pull down or destroy buildings of recognised historic or artistic interest, as for example the Crown property in Carlton House Terrace and Carlton Gardens, et cetera, whose existence attracts a considerable number of visitors from abroad, who in turn spend substantial amounts of money here, giving employment to British workers, and whose destruction will not result in any real economic benefit to the community, or relief to the general traffic problem.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD HASTINGS)My Lords, the Crown Estate Commissioners announced in December, 1961, that they proposed to preserve Carlton House Terrace. This is to be done by converting the houses to modern uses within the existing walls, preserving the facades both to The Mall and to Carlton House Terrace, and also some of the best interior features. In reaching this decision the Commissioners had much in mind the architectural and historic interest of the buildings. These buildings will therefore continue to attract the attention and interest of visitors to this country. The houses in Carlton Gardens which have been demolished were not of comparable interest. While the Government (and, of course, the Commissioners) are anxious that good buildings of the past shall be retained wherever pos- 774 sible, new buildings to meet changing needs are sometimes necessary. The machinery of the Planning Act ensures that full consideration is given to every case.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer, but is he aware that these houses in Carlton Gardens have been occupied for thirty years; that the occupiers, when they asked for their leases to be extended, were told they could have them for as long as they liked to live there, and could even die there; but that four years later they were suddenly told they were to be pulled down? Who is to gain by that devastating action with regard to a rather historic part of London?
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, I think the answer has already been given in my first reply.
§ LORD BOSSOMIs my noble friend aware that the same thing is happening in Maidstone at the present time? A building which is historically of great value, having been connected with the Washington family, is now going to be destroyed and pulled down, and nobody knows for whose benefit. Can my noble friend tell me who will gain by that?
§ LORD HASTINGSThat is a different question, my Lords. I do not know the particular answer to that, but I would refer my noble friend to the very comprehensive debate we had on this whole subject not so very long ago.
§ LORD BOSSOMI thank my noble friend for that answer, but I am afraid that, if he looks at it again, he will see that that debate which we held here does not give the answer to the Question which is on the Order Paper.