§ Mr. Colin Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the substantial increase in the number of buildings in the list of buildings of architectural or historical interest as a result of the current resurvey, he has any proposals to increase funds available to the district councils to meet claims for grant-aid; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe purpose of the current survey is to identify buildings of outstanding architectural or historic interest. The size of the statutory list is expected 355W to increase from 280,000 buildings in 1982 to over 400,000 when completed in 1987, though this does not necessarily imply the need for a pro rata increase in grant aid, much of which in any case comes from the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission. The levels of expenditure devoted to conservation by district councils is for them to decide in the light of their priorities and resources.