HL Deb 04 December 1973 vol 347 cc589-90WA
THE EARL OF HARROWBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in the context of civilised responsibility they would establish the principle, backed by statutory regulations, that in all cases of proposed demolition of property or substantial change of its appearance photographs showing the present condition of the property should be taken and made available, before the proposed work of demolition or alteration is started; and whether an effort will be made to track down the appearance of such places in their heyday, the necessary research being carried out by the Government with the help of a public appeal in conjunction with the local authorities with, shared costs; and whether they will consider how far this could be done as to past demolitions, et cetera.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (BARONESS YOUNG)

There are already provisions for the recording of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. Section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 provides that where the Secretary of State or local planning authority has given listed building consent for the demolition of such a building the Royal Commission on Historic Monuments should be given access for a period of at least one month after the grant of consent and before the commencement of work for the purposes of recording it. Demolition in this context would include the demolition of part of a building. Any extension of these provisions to embrace all kinds of property does not seem justified, but I am seeking the views of the Royal Commission on Historic Monuments and will write to the noble Earl.

House adjourned at ten o'clock.