§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total Government expenditure in grants and loans, respectively, for the repair of historic buildings and also on the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas during each of the years 1980 and 1981; and how much was spent by local authorities on similar projects during the same year.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe records are kept by financial year.
The figures for grants made by my Department on the recommendation of the Historic Buildings Council for the 409W repair of historic buildings and for work on conservation areas in England for the period from 1 April 1979 to 31 January 1982 are as follows:
Grants under S4 of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 1979–80 1980–81 1 April 81 to 31 Jan. 82 £ £ £ Buildings of outstanding architectural or historic interest 3,471,291 3,324,942 3,785,825 Historic Churches in Use 1,871,190 2,780,124 2,769,923
Grants under S10 of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act 1972 (as Amended) 1979–80 1980–81 1 April 81 to 31 Jan. 82 £ £ £ Preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of conservation areas 2,278,598 2,711,105 2,561,981 Buildings included in Town Schemes 589,097 799,917 987,487 No loans for these purposes were made by my Department during the period in question. Local authorities are empowered by the Local Authorities (Historic Buildings) Act 1962 to make grants or loans for the preservation of historic buildings without the consent of the Secretary of State. Figures for such local authority expenditure are therefore not available. Town scheme grants by my Department are normally matched by the appropriate local authority or authorities.