HC Deb 15 June 1978 vol 951 cc631-3W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the funds for rescue archaeology to be granted over 1978–79.

Mr. Shore

£2,171,000.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the annual figures of grants to rescue archaeology since 1968.

Mr. Chore

The allocations since 1968 were as follows:

£
1968–69 145,000
1969–70 183,176
1970–71 200,537
1971–72 297,492
1972–73 399,373
1973–74 715,644
1973–74 990,921
1975–76 1,512,500
1976–77 1,822,045
1977–78 1,890,000
1978–79 2,171,000

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the percentage proportions allocated to excavation, writing up and conservation within the total grant for archaeology.

Mr. Shore

Grants for 1978–79 have been allocated in these proportions:

  • Current excavations and writing up—84 per cent.
  • Backlog work on excavations carried out before 1972 and publications—10 per cent.
  • Scientific investigations mainly of an environmental nature—4 per cent.
  • Miscellaneous—2 per cent.

No distinction is made between excavation and writing up reports of current excavations since this work is a continuous process. These grants include a small element for conservation work on finds by local units. In addition, a considerable amount of conservation work is undertaken in the Department's Ancient Monuments Laboratory.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the relations between the area archaeological committees and the archaeological committees in the regions.

Mr. Shore

The functions of the 13 area archaeological advisory committees are to advise of (a) policies and academic priorities for surveys and rescue excavations in the area and (b) needs for backup facilities in the area to ensure early completion and publication of reports. The committees' advice guides my Department in the distribution of grants for rescue archaeology.

Other, unofficial, archaeological committees also exist with various constitutions and functions. They are not responsible to me and there is no formal relationship with my area advisory committees.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he agrees that meetings of the area archaeological committees should be open and membership partly elected by interested bodies.

Mr. Shore

I do not think that the quality of the committees' advice would be improved by their deliberations being conducted in public. The members are appointed by me after taking account of recommendations received from local authorities and other interested parties. They include local authority representatives—both members and officers—as well as local people having relevant professional archaeological knowledge and experience.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he agrees that the Ancient Monuments Board should be partly elected by interested bodies, and consequently the National Committee for Rescue Archaeology as well.

Mr. Shore

Five members of the Ancient Monuments Board are nominated by learned bodies, as provided by statute. The Board's committee for rescue archaeology is comprised partly of members of the Board and partly of other archaeologists selected for their particular knowledge and experience. These arrangements have worked well and I do not propose to change them.