§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Warley, East, Official Report, 18 April, column 739, whether he will arrange for the Property Services Agency to cover the cost of major excavation of the Richmond Terrace site.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe evidence already considered by the Directorate of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings392W does not justify the cost of a major excavation of the Richmond Terrace site. The matter will, however, be reviewed in the light of the findings of the watching brief being maintained by the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings and of any trial excavation carried out by the inner London archaeological unit.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the iner London archaeological unit is entitled to use part of its £20,000 current grant from the Department to undertake trial excavations on the Richmond Terrace site.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe inner London archaeological unit does not receive a block grant but is provided with funds in suport of particular projects. Approximately £7,000 will be needed for post-excavation work on projects completed in previous years and the remaining £13,000 is earmarked for new projects other than excavation at Richmond Yard.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will explain, as the time available for trial work on the Richmond Terrace site was known to be limited, why the Property Services Agency took two months to decide whether or not to allow the inner London archaeological unit access to the site for trial work.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergIt was necessary for the Department's Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments to consider the position carefully and to look again at the evidence available about the condition of the site. I would hope that the period for which the site is available for the trial excavation would be sufficient for the purpose.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in phase 2 of the Richmond Terrace site development, he will allow time in the development schedule for trial work and subsequestion excavation in order to avoid unforeseen delays.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergNo decision has yet been taken whether to proceed with the second stage of the development. This matter will, however, be kept in mind.
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§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, since most of the Saxon remains at the Richmond Terrace site are likely to be of timber constuction, he is satisfied that a watching brief is achaeologically appropriate and likely to provide information.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergA watching brief will provide an opportunity for reconsideration if discoveries of sufficient importance are made during building operations. The Property Services Agency is aware that there may be circumstances which may require more detailed investigation.