§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the work of the Environment Board.
§ Mr. ShoreThe Environment Board was set up in June 1975 to advise on the environmental aspects of implementing the Community Land Act, and more generally on ways in which my Department could contribute towards improving the quality of the built environment.
617WTo date the Board has given advice on a number of specific issues; in particular, it has been involved in the preparation of a series of development advice notes which have a special bearing on the Community Land Act. On the broader front it has carried out some initial studies on new development, older areas, and environmental education, through three sub-groups. The Board's findings on these studies form the basis of its first progress report, which was published yesterday. The three sub-group reports may be of interest to those specialising in the various fields, even though they do not necessarily represent the views of the Board in their entirety. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the House of Commons Library. Further copies will be available from my Department, on request.
I should like to thank the members of the Board, and its sub-groups, for the time and effort they have given to this work and commend the report for serious public debate.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide figures to show the amount of public funds devoted to the maintenance and upkeep of buildings of historical and architectural interest for each year from 1970 to the present.
§ Mr. ShoreThe figures for grants and loans recommended by the Historic Buildings Council for England for the repair and maintenance of buildings of outstanding or historic interest and accepted by the applicants are as follows:
1970–71 … … £549,298 1971–72 … … £830,034 1972–73 … … £1,050,104 1973–74 … … £1,132,742 1974–75 … … £1,521,411 1975–76 … … £1,634,861 1976–77 … … £1,449,998 The figures for grants and loans for buildings of historic or architectural interest made by local authorities who have submitted returns are as follows:
1970–71 … … £269,844 1971–72 … … £326,910 1972–73 … … £368,817 1973–74 … … £367,879 1974–75 … … £466,130 1975–76 … … £813,223