§ Lord Onslow of Wokingasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to reallocate responsibility for underwater archaeology in English and Welsh waters. [HL3415]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyWe have recently completed a consultation exercise on all the proposals resulting from our Departmental Spending Review, including that of transferring responsibility for underwater archaeology to the new heritage lead body. We are considering responses to the consultation, and hope to make an announcement on the outcome by the end of the year. We are, in the meantime, beginning discussions with English Heritage on how the proposed transfer of responsibility might be implemented. Legislation will be needed to give English Heritage the wider powers to carry out certain functions in waters off England.
It is not envisaged that there would be changes to the current work carried out by CADW off Welsh waters.