§ Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the proposals for setting up a United Kingdom National Committee for European Architectural Heritage Year.
§ Mr. AmeryThe Council of Europe has designated 1975 as European Architectural Heritage Year and has asked Governments to arrange for national committees to be set up to co-operate with the international Organising Committee for the Year established by the Council of Europe.
On the invitation of Her Majesty's Government, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has consented to become President of the United Kingdom National Committee, with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for 110W the Environment, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as Vice-Presidents and myself as Chairman. The Civic Trust has agreed to act on behalf of the Government in setting up and servicing the United Kingdom Committee.
Provision will be made, subject to the approval of Parliament, in the 1972–73 and subsequent Estimates for the necessary expenditure.
It is planned to hold the first meeting of a Steering Committee on Monday, 16th October, when His Royal Highness has kindly agreed to preside; and to constitute as soon as possible the full committee, which it is intended should include representatives of the Churches, local government, voluntary organisations—especially in the amenity field—both sides of industry, and other relevant sections of national life.