Lord Stevenson of Balmacara – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Stevenson of Balmacara on 2016-02-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Historic Housing Association report, The Economic and Social Contribution of Independently Owned Historic Houses and Gardens, what assessment they have made of the possible closure of 70 historic buildings over the next five years, and what, if any, steps they are taking to support those business during this period.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Member houses of the Historic Houses Association make an important contribution to the UK’s tourism industry. They attract over 24 million visits per year with a total visitor spend of £1bn; and support 41,000 jobs.

Government has made no specific assessment of the possible closures of these historic houses. DCMS continues to work with the HHA and others, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, to support privately owned heritage.