HC Deb 01 July 1965 vol 715 cc127-8W
Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many ancient post mills, how many smock mills and how many tower mills it is estimated were in existence in Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk, respectively, in 1945; and what are the corresponding figures for the present time.

Mr. C. Pannell

The following is the reply:

Ancient Postmills Smock Mills Tower Mills
1945 1965 1945 1965 1945 1965
Essex 8 6 3 2 5 4
Hertfordshire 2 1 1 1 5 5
1948 1948 1948
East Suffolk 6 * 4 * 7 *
West Suffolk 8 6 5 4 10 9
Norfolk 2 1 1 nil 68 20
* Not available.

Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many ancient windmills are protected by his Department, and of what types; how many are protected by other authorities, and of what types; and how many other windmills are still in existence, and of what types.

Mr. C. Pannell

One tower mill and one post mill are in the Ministry's guardianship. In addition two tower mills and three post mills are scheduled under Section 6 of the Ancient Monuments Act 1931.

Twenty-five windmills are the subject of Building Preservation Orders under Section 30 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1962. Details of types are not available. Other windmills are listed under Section 32 of that Act and Section 28 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1947, but details of how many and of what type cannot be obtained without a great deal of research. The surveys on which the lists are based are not complete.

It is not known how many other windmills are still in existence.

Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will give the annual Government expenditure for each of the last five years on the preservation of ancient windmills in Great Britain.

Mr. Boyden

1960–61 £834; 1961–62 £703; 1962–63 £1,298; 1963–64 £3,091; 1964–65 £2,232. A total over the five years of £8,158. Two windmills, Saxtead Green Mill and Berney Arms Mill, are in the care of the Ministry and expenditure on their maintenance has totalled £3,418 during this period. Four windmills—Billingford (Norfolk), North Lever-ton (Notts), Pakenham (West Suffolk), Wrawley (Lints)-have received Historic Buildings Grants totalling £4,490. In three of these cases local authorities have also made considerable contributions. One windmill, Great Graneden, received a single grant of £250 in 1963 under the Ancient Monuments Acts.