§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many custodians of ancient monuments are currently employed by his Department; and what is his estimate of the likely establishment during the next two years.
§ Mr. ShoreAt present, custodians employed all the year round at ancient monuments in England number 147 full-time and 89 part-time. In addition, in 615W 1977 a further 64 custodians were employed full-time and 49 part-time for summer opening of monuments. It is intended progressively, by natural wastage as far as possible, to reduce the number of custodians employed all the year round to 111 full-time and 20 part-time, while increasing the additional numbers employed for summer opening to 126 full-time and 62 part-time in 1978.
The numbers in Wales and Scotland are 94 full-time and 66 part-time all the year round and in addition 41 full-time and 14 part-time for summer opening. It is expected that these numbers will remain at about the same level in 1978–79, though a small increase in the number of summer stall in Scotland is possible.