§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to provide new resources to repair historic properties; and if he will make a statement on the recent English Heritage report on neglected historic properties. [44005]
§ Mr. BanksThe majority of Government funding for the repair of historic properties is channelled through English Heritage (EH), which will receive £102.0 million in funding this year from my Department. EH plans to offer £34.5 million in conservation grants for 1998–99. This includes £2 million for a new fast track grants scheme for repairs needed to limit further deterioration, and a further £5.3 million for grants schemes under its new Buildings at Risk initiative. The Government welcome EH's Register of Buildings at Risk, which highlights the most important historic buildings in need of repair. Combined with the new grants scheme, it marks the start of a new strategy to encourage best practice in the preservation of historic buildings, in accordance with the Government's planning and policy guidance note 15—"planning and the historic environment".