HL Deb 01 December 1970 vol 313 cc384-5

2.42 p.m.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is being taken to ensure that local authorities who until now have failed to determine conservation areas shall rectify this; and approximately how many local authorities have failed in this respect.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)

My Lords, no such action is being taken. Designation of conservation areas is, we believe, essentially a matter for local initiative. One hundred and twenty five out of 157 English local planning authorities have designated one area or more.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, in view of the fact that a certain number have not done so, cannot Her Majesty's Government do something to stimulate action on their part?

LORD SANDFORD

I think not, my Lords. It is much more important to ensure that those conservation areas that have been designated take on some substance and some meaning, rather than to try to persuade local authorities who, for good reasons of their own, have not yet designated conservation areas to do so.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, would the noble Lord tell us, in view of the quite considerable time-lag since legislation was passed and the Minister's circular was issued, without action in some cases, whether it is possible to publish a list of those authorities who have not yet designated conservation areas?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I shall be very glad to consider that.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, is it not possible, while encouraging local authorities who are getting on with the job to continue to do so, to encourage those who have not yet indicated that they are taking any steps to begin to do something about it?

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, my Lords. That is certainly possible and will be considered. But we trust bear in mind that there may well be some local authorities who have quite rightly come to the conclusion that they have not within their responsibility any areas that should be designated as conservation areas.

LORD KENNET

My Lords, will the noble Lord bear in mind that at the end of the day the Government have powers to direct local authorities to designate conservation areas?

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, certainly, my Lords.