HL Deb 09 April 1970 vol 309 cc237-8
LORD BALERNO

My 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 now make an announcement concerning grants under the Historic Buildings Act of 1953 to-wards the repair or maintenance of certain churches in Scotland which are of outstanding historical or architectural interest.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD HUGHES)

My Lords, this matter is still being considered.

LORD BALERNO

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his not entirely satisfactory reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that it is now nearly three years since an encouraging assurance was given to this House that this was a Scottish matter and therefore entirely the concern of the Secretary of State for Scotland? Is the noble Lord aware that hope deferred maketh the heart sick—the heart of the Kirk?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, if the noble Lord will forgive me for ignoring the first part of the question, I would say that I expect that hope need be deferred not very much longer. We hope to be in a position to make a statement before this year's General Assembly.

LORD FERRIER

My Lords, would the noble Lord agree that the object of this exercise is not to relieve congregations of their obligation to maintain adequate places of worship, but to obtain some contribution under the Act towards maintaining certain features of the few churches which are of historic or architectural interest to the public?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, I would prefer not to say anything which might be construed as anticipating the statement.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, may I ask whether it is the case, as I think it is, that there is nothing in the Historic Buildings Act which precludes grants for this purpose; but since the Act was passed in 1953 this has simply been an administrative decision by first the Minister and then the Secretary of State for Scotland and the other Ministers who have since been responsible?

LORD HUGHES

Yes, my Lords.