Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings (Hansard, 15 June 1982)

§ Mr. Heseltine

I have received more than 300 comments on the proposals I put forward in that consultation paper to fuse together the Ancient Monuments Board for England, the Historic Buildings Council for England, and the relevant responsibilities of my Department into a single public sector organisation. This level of response reflects the degree of interest in the proposal. The substance of the comments has been of a uniformly high and thoughtful standard, and has been extremely helpful to me in deciding on the best way forward. I am grateful to all those who have put in so much time and effort on compiling comments.

The comments have covered a wide spectrum of views on the basic proposal, and many of them have also considered in depth the detailed implications of an agency structure.

As a result of the consultation process the Government have concluded that there is a clear balance of advantage in England in proceeding along the broad lines described in the consultation document. We therefore intend to press ahead with a view to introducing a Bill in Parliament when legislative time is available. The aim will be to establish the new organisation as soon as possible, with a target date of 1 October 1983 or 1 April 1984.

I am issuing tomorrow a further document "Organisation of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings in England—The Way Forward" which sets out in more detail my conclusions from the consultation process, and clarifies some of the issues which caused particular concern. It also contains a more detailed account of the structure and functions of the proposed new body than was possible within the confines of the earlier consultation document. Although I am now clear about the overall direction in which to move, I am anxious to make the change in an evolutionary way so far as the details of the proposal are concerned. Any additional comment on these details would, therefore, be welcome.

Some major issues still remain to be decided, including in particular the question of the future role of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments in England. Differing views were expressed on this subject, and time is needed for further thought.

Separate statements will be made by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in respect of the arrangements in those countries.

I am placing a copy of the further document in the Libraries of both Houses.