HC Deb 23 November 1981 vol 13 cc318-9W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current level of funding for essential archaeology work in the United Kingdom.

Mr. MacFarlane

The following information relates to funding by the Department of the Environment, covering archaeological excavations in England only. Responsibilities in other parts of the United Kingdom lie with the respective Secretaries of State.

1980–81 Expenditure at current prices 1981–82 Provision
£ £
Grants to bodies outside DOE (local authorities, universities etc) for "rescue archaeology", ie excavation and recording of sites about to be destroyed or developed 4,064,000 4,280,000
Staff and other costs of archaeological excavations at monuments in DOE care 473,000 655,000

These figures include fees to consultants and salaries of DOE archaeological staff directly involved in excavations. They exclude DOE archaeologists engaged on inspection of advisory work, and administrative staff concerned with the above functions.