HC Deb 28 January 1974 vol 868 c34W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will seek powers to make mandatory the granting of reasonably sufficient time by developers to permit archaeological investigation and excavation;

(2) if he will seek powers to make mandatory the requirement that the archaeological potential of all proposed developments should be considered in the granting of planning permission;

(3) if he will seek powers to provide that access to development sites for purposes of archaeological recording should be mandatory.

Mr. Channon

Following the announcement made last September to my right hon. and learned Friend about the appointment of an Under-Secretary, Archaeology, the Department is working on proposals for legislation designed to ensure an opportunity for the investigation, as appropriate, of archaeological remains before development.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a central archive of topographical archaeology as part of the new national archaeological organisation.

Mr. Channon

Requirements for archaeological archives are being considered following consultations with interested organisatioins and as part of the new arrangements for rescue archaeology at present beng discussed.