§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a building preservation order in respect of the Shaftesbury Theatre and take other appropriate action to ensure that this theatre is neither destroyed nor put to any non-theatrical use.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will use his powers to ensure that the Shaftesbury Theatre is not demolished or converted to other use.
§ Mr. RipponI have no powers to intervene at this stage; I am at present considering whether this building is of sufficient architectural or historic interest to justify its inclusion in the statutory list and will write to the hon. Member. However, any proposal to change the use of the site of the Shaftesbury Theatre would require planning permission which is primarily a matter for the local authority. I understand that no application has been made for a change of use.