HC Deb 26 October 1989 vol 158 c575W
Mr. Steel

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the Government propose to take to preserve the textile mills of Scotland, which are listed buildings regarded as being architecturally important, from dereliction and neglect.

Mr. Rifkind

Listed status affords a building statutory protection. The maintenance of a listed building, as of any other building, is the responsibility of its owner. Listed building consent procedures ensure that any changes to a listed building will, as far as possible, preserve its character.

I give historic building grants for buildings which are of outstanding architectural or historic interest. Since 1985, repairs to former textile mills at Forfar, Dundee and New Lanark have been grant assisted.