§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many staff appointments will be made to man the 15 archaeological centres which it is intended to set up throughout Great Britain;
(2) when the scheme to establish 15 regional archaeological centres throughout Great Britatn will be brought into operation;
(3) how much funding will be provided by his Department to run the 15 343W regional archaeological centres throughout Great Britain.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe Department has been working on proposals for improved arrangements for rescue archaeology which envisage a number of units grouped regionally, with common support facilities. The proposals are at present the subject of discussions with the interests concerned and detailed arrangements remain to be settled in consultation with them. In the meantime the Department will continue to make grants to existing bodies.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a central archive of topographical archaeology as part of the new national archaeological organisation.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe present arrangements for archaeological records at national and other levels are under review.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will seek powers to make mandatory the granting of sufficient time by developers to permit archaeological investigation and excavation;
(2) if he will seek powers to make mandatory the requirement that the archaeological potential of all proposed developments should be considered in the granting of planning permission;
(3) if he will seek powers to provide that access to development sites for purposes of archaeological recording should be mandatory.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisMy right hon. Friend fully endorses the need for opportunities to be given for investigation of sites of archaeological importance before development and is considering the question of introducing legislation.