§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements are made for the opening to the public of historic houses which have received grants from the Historic Buildings Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneYes. All grants under section 4 of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 are made subject to provision of public access to the building concerned. Access conditions vary with different circumstances, but all must be advertised in either "Historic Houses Castles and Gardens", published by ABC Publications, or in the "Guide to Stately Homes, Museums and Gardens" published by the Automobile Association. The English Tourist Board is also notified. My Department receives few complaints about the operation of access arrangements, and these can usually be satisfied.