§ 2.40 p.m.
§ Lord ALPORTMy 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 will introduce legislation to declare the whole of Edinburgh's "Royal Mile "an area of special historic importance not only to Scotland but also to Great Britain as a whole, and whether any steps will be taken by the authorities concerned, with Government help, to prevent its further deterioration into slum conditions, and to restore such ancient buildings as are left.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD KIRKHILL)My Lords, the Town and Country Planning(Scotland) Acts already contain provisions for the designation of areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance as conservation areas. I understand that proposals for the designation in this way of the "Royal Mile "and adjacent streets are currently being formulated by Edinburgh District Council as the responsible planning authority. Government financial help has already been given to various restoration and improvement projects in the area.
§ Lord ALPORTMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his reply and I should like to say how glad I am that something is being done. But will the noble Lord consult the drawings of the late Mrs. Stuart Smith, which I think 494 are in the Scottish National Gallery, to see how much has been lost up to 1925, to consider how much was lost in the subsequent 50 years, and to consider how important it is that this part of Edinburgh —which bears the imprint of the whole history of Scotland and which is associated with so many of its men of letters —should be preserved before the rest of it goes in the way in which a recently issued report described as a "rotting slum ", even if the cost is substantial at the moment.
§ Lord KIRKHILLMy Lords, I agree with the noble Lord's retrospective view of that which has happened to the whole area surrounding and including the "Royal Mile ", but I think the noble Lord will agree with me that a substantial change in policy has emerged in recent years and there now seems to be evidence of a new purpose, a new initiative, taking place. As I understand it, at this time plans as to areas of designation are being formulated by Edinburgh District Council which is the planning authority concerned.