§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider the transfer of resources and personnel, previously used by the Ordnance Survey for archaeological survey and recording purposes in relation to mapping, to another organisation or organisations which have a positive commitment to the maintenance of archaeological records, such as the Royal Commissions on Historical Monuments for England, Scotland and Wales.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:The Ordnance Survey is continuing to survey, map and record visible archaeological sites, although the methods by which this is done are being revised in order to contain costs. Neither resources nor personnel are, therefore, available for transfer. My right hon. Friend will, however, be considering this issue in the context of the study on the future role of the Ordnance Survey which he announced on 6th May.
§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the 302W Ordnance Survey has ceased making acquisitions for its archaeological library and cancelled its membership of archaeological societies, or proposes to do so.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:Yes. I would also refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 7th November. —[Vol. 938, c. 12–3]
§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will refer any proposed changes in the specialised field archaeology sections of the Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division to the Ancient Monuments Board and to its National Committee for Rescue Archaeology to seek advice on the implications of such changes for the recording and preservation of ancient monuments, and for rescue archaeology in general.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:The Ancient Monuments Board will be discussing the wider archaeological implications of these changes, and we shall welcome its advice.
§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what professional archaeological advice the Ordnance Service and the Department of the Environment have taken concerning the reorganisation of the Archaeology Division of the Ordnance Survey;
(2) whether the Ordnance Survey has sought the view of the Ordnance Survey Archaeology Advisory Committee on proposed changes in the specialised field archaeology sections of the Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division; and what view has been expressed by the committees.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:This reorganisation was a matter for the Ordnance Survey, which acted after considering the advice from an inter-departmental working group which reported in September 1974. Professional archaeologists, including the Ordnance Survey Archaeology Committee, have been involved in discussions over a period of at least two years on those aspects of the reorganisation concerned with the recording of archaeological sites. Widely differing views were expressed. There was no discussion with outside bodies on purely management aspects of the surveying activities.
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§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Ordnance Survey proposes to replace its Archaeology Officer, who has now retired, with a trained archaeologist; and what steps it proposes to take to ensure professional archaeological standards within the Ordnance Survey Archaeology Section.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:No. The Ordnance Survey does not propose to replace its Archaeology Officer, who has retired, with a trained archaeologist. It intends to rely on outside professional opinion to ensure the accurate classification of archaeological sites surveyed for topographical mapping purposes.