§ Mr. Peter M. Jacksonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement regarding the use to which the Land Fund will be put in respect of historic buildings.
§ Mr. MacDermotThe Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, 1953 enables my right hon. Friend (and in Scotland and Wales my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State) to acquire, repair, and dispose of buildings 171W of outstanding architectural or historic interest. It also empowers them to pay grants to local authorities to aid them in acquiring other statutorily listed buildings. Expenditure under both these powers is reimbursable from the Land Fund.
The Government intend to make greater use of these powers. Expenditure in the next few years is, of course, bound to be limited by the urgent need for economy in public expenditure.