§ 3.6 p.m.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement on the future of Land's End.
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, the Countryside Commission has put foward proposals to enable it to offer grant aid to the National Trust towards the cost of acquisition of Land's End and subsequent restoration of the site. My right honourable friend hopes to respond shortly.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that that is a most encouraging reply, and that I am truly grateful for his help in this matter? I believe that what the Government, with the National Trust, intend to do will fortify many people who are anxious, and that his statement this afternoon in answer to my Question will be welcomed throughout the nation.
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, I hesitate to pour cold water on such a nice response from the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, but I must say that all I went as far as saying was that my right honourable friend hopes to respond shortly. There are quite a number of hurdles to go before any final decision is made.
§ Lord StrabolgiMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl if he is aware that during the time of the last Labour Government, when the Battle Abbey site was under threat, the Secretary of State intervened? Will the Government follow the excellent example?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, with all due respect to the noble Lord, there are many miles of difference between Land's End and Battle Abbey. One of the difficulties about Land's End is that it is difficult to know what actually we are trying to preserve.
§ Lord StrabolgiOh, come on!
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, the noble Lord says, "Come on!" but perhaps he can tell me whether it is an hotel, the land itself, the car park, the litter bin, or what? What I am trying to say is, it is clearly up to the Countryside Commission and the National Trust to advise us in this matter, which they are doing.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord if he would be good enough to "recce" the course, to be able to help his right honourable friend over any of the hurdles which he might find difficult?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, I will indeed, and in fact I took advice from my noble friend Lady Faithfull before this afternoon's Questions, when she told me that she had been there during the war when the hotel was actually bombed.
§ The Earl of LauderdaleMy Lords, can my noble friend tell the House where Land's End begins?
§ The Earl of AvonNo, my Lords, I can only tell my noble friend where it ends.
§ Lord John-MackieMy Lords, would it not be a nice gesture if the Duke of Cornwall bought it?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, that is indeed an interesting suggestion, which I shall bear in mind.
§ Lord BrockwayMy Lords, can the Minister say when a decision is likely to be reached on this matter?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, so far as the Government are concerned, I understand that the National Trust is meeting on 18th December and it is hoped that all decisions will be made before that day.