§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions have been brought during each of the last five years against persons accused of demolishing listed buildings without consent; how many convictions have resulted; and what was the average penalty imposed.
§ Mr. CroslandAny person or body may institute prosecutions relating to unauthorised work to listed buildings and information about them is not readily available.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many repair notices have been served by local authorities on owners of listed buildings during 339W the last year; and how many of these have been complied with.
§ Mr. CroslandThe service of repairs notices is normally a matter for local authorities and information about them is not readily available.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many listed buildings are owned by British Rail; and how many are threatened by redevelopment or closure.
§ Mr. CroslandI understand that British Rail has stated that it owns over 396 listed buildings. I do not have information about the number threatened by redevelopment or closure, but consent would be required for any substantial works to these buildings.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend Sections 114 and 115 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 in order to ensure that local authorities are enabled to preserve listed buildings.
§ Mr. CroslandNo. Sections 114 and 115 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 already enable me to authorise a local authority to acquire compulsorily a listed building which is not being properly preserved.
§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to increase the penalties for demolition of listed buildings without consent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CroslandI refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker) on 28th January 1976.—[Vol. 904, c. 195.]
§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Grade I and Grade II listed buildings have been demolished: (a) with consent and (b) without consent during each of the past five years; and if he will list them in the Official Report.
§ Mr. CroslandConsent to demolish Grade I and Grade II listed buildings in the years 1971–75 were granted as follows:
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Grade I Grade II Total 1975 … 0 350 350 1974 … 0 262 262 1973 … 1 444 445 1972 … 1 222 223 1971 … 1 200 201 Information about listed buildings demolished without consent is not available.
A list of the buildings involved is not readily at hand. However, I shall send a list to the hon. Member as soon as possible.