§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a Departmental inquiry to consider future policy, in the light of the insufficient time available for archaeological record making at Baynard's Castle.
§ Mr. AmeryNo, but I will consider the point should that seem to be desirable when the recent excavations at Baynard's Castle and those due to start there in mid-June have been evaluated.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the powers available to the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, in the light of experience at Baynard's Castle; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AmeryThe statutory powers available to me as regards ancient monu-96W ments are considerable, but I hope that Parliament will extend them as proposed currently in the Field Monuments Bill and later in a more general Measure.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list conveniently available information showing the variation in the percentage of the penny rate, given by local authorities, to archaeological or historical work.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the percentage of a penny rate, and the total money spent, on archaeological work by, respectively, Winchester, Exeter, Lincoln, York, and the City of London authorities.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek to amend the Field Monuments Bill, to require developers to allow archaeologists more time for study and recording of important archaeological sites.
§ Mr. AmeryNo. The Field Monuments Bill is concerned solely with a scheme to preserve ancient monuments threatened by agriculture and forestry, but I hope to introduce a more general Measure before long which would include powers of compulsory excavation in suitable cases.