§ 18. Mr. Adleyasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is satisfied with the priority accorded to industrial archaeology within the framework of the national heritage.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Neil Macfarlane)Yes, Sir. The claims of industrial archaeology are given careful consideration by those concerned with the protection and preservation of the national heritage, who include the Secretary of State for the Environment, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales.
§ Mr. AdleyWill my hon. Friend tell the House to what extent the National Heritage Fund is available for industrial archaeology in general and for relic preservation 16 in particular? Will he recognise the value of the efforts of thousands of volunteers who are standing ready and willing to get to work on restoring, for example, the steam engines at Barry in South Wales, if they can be saved from the scrapyard?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneYes, I acknowledge and pay tribute to the many thousands of people who help in this way. The National Heritage Memorial Fund was established to provide financial assistance for the acquisition, maintenance and preservation of land, buildings and objects of outstanding historic or other interest. That includes items of industrial archaeology.
I am pleased to say that there will be a further examination, in the spring of 1981, of the locomotives in question. The expenses of this survey will be shared between the National Railway Museum and the interested preservation groups.
§ Mr. Hudson DaviesIs the Minister aware of the dramatic work that is being carried out at present by the Wales Tourist Board, the National Coal Board and the National Museum of Wales to open the big pit, as it is called, in Blaenavon in Gwent as an industrial attraction for tourists? Will he, in discussion with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, give such support as he can to this important venture in our industrial heritage?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI am well aware of the many initiatives which have been taken in recent years, and also in recent months, to develop and preserve these areas and interests of outstanding national importance. The hon. Member's views will be conveyed to those who are interested.
§ Mr. ViggersWill the Minister pay tribute to the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy for preserving so well much of the naval industrial architecture in the Gosport and Portsmouth areas against the day when it will be possible to open up the area as more of a tourist centre?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy hon. Friend's question underlines the policy that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wishes to pursue of taking museums and areas of outstanding interest into the region so that they can attract a great deal of tourist interest. In addition to the one that my hon. Friend has mentioned, I suggest that there is a great recognition of the work which has just been done at RNAS Yeovilton, and the expansion and opening of the Mountbatten museum earlier this year.