HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc499-500W
Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the endowments which have been granted by the Government when giving land to charitable trusts for heritage purposes in the last 15 years. [49279]

Mr. Banks

This information is not held centrally and a comprehensive answer could be given only at disproportionate cost. We are aware of the followingChatham Historic Dockyard Trust: £11.3 million provided in 1984. Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills Trust: £5.5 million provided in 1996. Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust: £6 million provided in 1998. The property was not gifted, but leased for 99 years. National Trust: £14.3 million provided in 1989 for Ham House and Osterley Park. National Trust: £2.3 million provided in 1993 for Orford Ness.

Support has also been given in the form of specific grants for use in the formative years of the Trust, often to meet accumulated repair and maintenance commitments. Recent examples include: Tadworth Court: £2.85 million provided to the Children's Trust Tadworth for freehold purchase and dilapidations. Eltham Palace: £2.5 million provided to English Heritage (an exempt charity) in 1996 and a further £1 million in 1997, which had some endowment element. Royal Naval College, Greenwich: £17 million to be provided to the Greenwich Foundation over the next three years to cover dilapidations plus £1.5 million a year for seven years towards ongoing maintenance. Somerset House: A contribution of £3.1 million in 1996 towards the costs of landlord's works related to the installation of the Gilbert Collection in the South Wing and £4 million over the next four years towards start-up costs of the new Trust, Somerset House Ltd.