§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his Department's current expenditure devoted to the preservation of archaeological sites. [25251]
§ Mr. DorrellSetting aside expenditure on properties which are the direct responsibility of my Department and its sponsored bodies, and which will include sites of archaeological importance, my Department's resources for the preservation of archaeological sites are channelled primarily through English Heritage. In 1994–95, English Heritage spent £2.6 million on grants to owners for the preservation, maintenance and management of ancient monuments and £8 million on archaeological investigations, including excavation and preservation by record.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many archaeological sites known to his Department have been(a) listed and (b) not listed by his Department. [25250]
§ Mr. DorrellAt the end of April 1995, there were 15,489 entries on the schedule of ancient monuments, representing some 22,250 individual sites. There are about 500,000 archaeological sites in England, but of these less than 10 per cent. are likely to be of national importance and therefore eligible for consideration for scheduling.