Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953

5 Acquisition by the Minister of historic buildings, their contents and adjoining land

(1) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, the Minister shall have power to acquire by agreement, whether by purchase, lease or otherwise, or to accept a gift of—

(a) any building appearing to him to be one of outstanding historic or architectural interest;

(b) any land comprising, or contiguous or adjacent to, any such building.

(2) Subject as aforesaid, the Minister shall have power to purchase by agreement, or to accept a gift of, any objects which are or have been ordinarily kept in—

(a) a building which, or any interest in which, is vested in the Minister, or a building which is under his control or management, being in either case- a building appearing to the Minister to be of outstanding historic or architectural interest; or

(b) a building of which the Minister is guardian under the Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act, 1913; or

(c) a building which, or any interest in which, is vested in either of the said National Trusts.

(3) Subject as aforesaid, the Minister may make such arrangements as he may think fit as to the management or custody of any property acquired or accepted by him under this section, and as to the use of any such property, and may dispose of or otherwise deal with any such property as he may from time to time determine.

(4) The Minister shall consult with the appropriate Council under this Act before acquiring or accepting any property under this section, and before taking any step by way of disposing of or otherwise dealing with any property so acquired or accepted, other than any step taken by him in the course of managing or keeping the property and making arrangements as to its use:

Provided that this subsection shall not prevent the Minister from acquiring or accepting any property without consultation with the said Council in a case where the acquisition or acceptance thereof appears to him to be a matter of immediate urgency.

(5) Any expenses incurred by the Minister under this section shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament, and any receipts of the Minister under this section shall be paid into the Exchequer.