§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is yet in a position to announce next year's grant to the National Heritage Fund.
§ Mr. ChannonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I jointly announced on 20 February that the grant to the National Heritage memorial fund for 1981–82 will be £3 million, subject to the approval of Parliament.
§ Mr. CormackIs this an appropriate opportunity for my right hon. Friend to pay a tribute to Lord Charteris and the members of the fund for their first year's work? Does my right hon. Friend agree that the sum, welcome as it is, underlines the fact that the fund can never be more than a safety net?
§ Mr. ChannonI agree with my hon. Friend. The Trustees of the National Heritage memorial fund have done an excellent job in their first year. I am sure that they will continue to do more work in the public interest. The £3 million is only a safety net, but I hope that some modest extra grant will come from the underspend on acceptances in lieu which will go some way to help the fund.