§ Mr. Roger Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in relation to the discharge of his responsibilities in matters of architectural design.
516W
§ Mr. RipponMy responsibilities for promoting high standards of architectural design arise in a number of areas, notably:
- —in relation to all new buildings for which I am responsible;
- —in the architectural aspects of the local authorities' housing programmes;
- —in relation to my responsibilities for historic buildings and ancient monuments in my care;
- —in the general quality of the built environment, affected as it is by new development and shaped by town and country planning;
- —in the sponsorship of the construction industry including relations with the various building professions;
- —in relation to the framework within Government within which architects are required to exercise their professional responsibilities.
I have decided to set up a small high-level inquiry to advise me on how these responsibilities can best be discharged. After consultation with the President of the RIBA, I have asked Sir Robert Matthew, FRIBA, and Mr. W. P. D. Skillington, CB, to undertake this inquiry, which will start in the New Year.
The terms of reference will be:
To advise on the possible means of promoting high standards of design in Government building in the conservation of the built environment and in new physical development within the purview of the Secretary of State for the Environment; and to report on those means and their organisational implications.