§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will assist the Yorkshire Dales national park authorities to preserve the remnants of Victorian lead mines in the Yorkshire dales; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what action his Department is taking to preserve 19th century industrial archaeological remains; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will take action to preserve the Old Gang smelt mills in Swaledale, north Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Old Gang smelt mill, Melbecks has been protected as a scheduled ancient monument since September 1978. For a number of years the Yorkshire Dales national park authority has been carrying out recording and consolidation works to the structure532W supported by grants from English Heritage, so far totalling £36,932. It is one of five mills in the Yorkshire dales which are scheduled, the others being Grinton Lead smelt fuel house and flue, Marrick lead smelt mill, Surrender smelt mill and lead cupola, flue and chimney at Grassington. Grants for essential repairs have been made or remedial action has been taken by English Heritage to ensure proper repair in respect of all of these structures in the last 10 years.
The Royal Commission on the historical monuments of England, together with English Heritage and the county and national park authorities, have since 1989 undertaken a major survey of archaeological sites throughout the dales. English Heritage is also currently carrying out a national survey of the remains of the lead mining industry which will lead to proposals for scheduling and listing an appropriate sample of nationally important remains. This is one of a number of surveys of the physical remains of the late 18th, 19th and 20th century industrial processes undertaken as part of the monuments protection programme which aims to evaluate all known archaeological remains in England.