§ Lord Strabolgiasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make a statement about the latest developments on Calke Abbey.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleLord Charteris, the chairman of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, recently held a valuable meeting with all those directly involved. He set up a working party to examine alternative approaches to the problem of preserving and maintaining Calke Abbey and opening it to the public. This will consider costs of repair and preservation, and possible sources of funds.
The department has already indicated that in principle the house, its contents and parkland could be accepted in lieu of tax; and has now agreed to consult again the various expert advisory bodies to see whether any additional areas of adjoining land justify also being accepted in lieu of tax.