HC Deb 09 November 1992 vol 213 cc615-6
11. Mr. Adley

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on progress on the works on Highcliffe castle, Dorset.

Mr. Key

The Buildings at Risk Trust has been commissioned by Christchurch borough council to prepare a business plan for the restoration of Highcliffe castle. Holding works have been carried out, with English Heritage grant aid, to protect the damaged structure while its future is being considered.

Mr. Adley

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, of which I was, of course, aware. [Interruption.] I meant that I was aware of the information, not the answer.

Is my hon. Friend aware that Christchurch borough council is a very small authority, and that the financial burden of the work for which it is having to pay is substantial? Lord Montagu was very helpful when he was chairman of English Heritage, but for various reasons Christchurch did not adopt his proposals. What we need is a catalyst. Will my hon. Friend act as that catalyst and allow me to take a deputation to see him, consisting of members of the council and those whom he mentioned in his original answer? Perhaps we can then try to do something to save this grade 1 listed building in my constituency.

Mr. Key

I should be delighted to see my hon. Friend and a deputation from Christchurch. The problem has existed ever since the castle was destroyed by fire in the 1960s, and I think that 30 years is quite long enough to wait for a resolution of it. I understand that the business plan is likely to be available before the end of the month, and I look forward to seeing it. Perhaps my hon. Friend and I had better wait until we have examined the plan before discussing it; by all means let us do so after that.

Mr. Tony Banks

Has not the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Adley) shown the significance of a problem which could well face many local authorities if English Heritage's proposals to transfer ancient monuments to those authorities were to proceed? Will the Minister not only bear in mind the point made by his hon. Friend but ensure that if any monuments are transferred to local authorities, sufficient funds will go with them?

Mr. Key

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to make it clear that English Heritage will not be handing over anything to local authorities, or others. Anything that it proposes to do will be by agreement and carefully planned. Resources would, of course, be ensured before any such transfer were made. The object of the operation is to ensure that many of the monuments, which are a long way from London, are better managed either by the local authority or by a trust, of which the local authority might be a part. Some local authorities are pursuing this policy because they wish to have more control over the day-to-day management of properties which will remain under the ownership or guardianship of English Heritage.