HC Deb 26 March 1984 vol 57 cc1-2
1. Mr. Raffan

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress of the Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments initiative on the preservation and promotion of Welsh historic monuments.

The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Nicholas Edwards)

Our consultations have produced a generally very positive response. We are proceeding with the recruitment of a director and other senior staff for the new unit.

Mr. Raffan

I thank my right hon. Friend for that positive statement. Would he care to comment on the recent article in The Guardian concerning his attitude to the heritage of Wales? Will he draw Cadw's attention to Flint castle, which was not considered to be in a fit enough state to be shown to the Queen during her recent visit? Will he also draw Cadw's attention to the highly imaginative recommendations of the excellent John Brown report on how to realise the castle's enormous, although as yet untapped, potential?

Mr. Edwards

The Guardian article was widely and grotesquely inaccurate. I hope to provide a detailed response at some stage. I have paid close attention to the preservation of the heritage, and that is one reason why we are establishing this new body. We have increased expenditure on ancient monuments from about £1,100,000 to about £1,900,000. That amount does not cover expenditure on historic buildings. I am aware that considerable improvements can be made to Flint castle. I hope that the new Cadw directorate will follow up the Brown committee's recommendations.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

Will the Secretary of State consider whether his Department should make a contribution towards the renovation and development of the site at Ty Mawr Wybrnant, which is associated with Bishop Morgan, the translator of the Bible, in view of the fact that the National Trust intends to improve that property and make it available as a museum?

Mr. Edwards

I shall certainly consider the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. The new body will be equipped to examine and make recommendations on such proposals.

Mr. Mark Robinson

I thank my right hon. Friend for his earlier answer. Will he specifically comment on the allegations in The Guardian article in the context of Bulmore and Caerleon?

Mr. Edwards

We have paid great attention to Caerleon, which is a monument of major importance. We are spending money on one of its most important sites. The allegations in The Guardian about the Bulmore site are wildly inaccurate. The photograph in The Guardian of what purports to be a town wall is, in fact, a minor part of a Roman farm building.

Dr. Roger Thomas

What type of monument will the Government set up for the almost 200,000 unemployed people in Wales, including many youngsters?

Mr. Speaker

Order. That matter does not arise out of this question.

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