Ancient Monuments

HC Deb 09 July 1984 vol 63 cc434-5W

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the disaggregated costs of the care and maintenance of ancient monuments in England for 1984; and what are the projected costs for 1985.

Mr. Macfarlane

The expenditure provision for the care and maintenance of ancient monuments and historic buildings (including royal palaces) in England in 1983–84 was £19,483,000. I will write to the hon. Member shortly to give him the comparable figures for estimated outturn. Provision for direct maintenance expenditure by my Department in 1984–85 is £12,069,000. Responsibility for this expenditure in respect of the other monuments now rests with the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ancient monuments are owned and maintained by his Department in England in 1984.

Mr. Macfarlane

There are 398 ancient monuments in the ownership or care of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England is now responsible for the management and maintenance of these monuments.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total income from (a) admissions and (b) season tickets to ancient monuments in England in 1984; and what are the projected estimates for 1985.

Mr. Macfarlane

Income in 1983–84 from admissions to the ancient monuments (including royal palaces) in England for which my Department was responsible, was £7,288,000 (including £173,000 from season tickets). My Department's forecast of receipts for 1984–85 in respect of the monuments for which it remains directly responsible is £6,750,000.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money in grants was disbursed by his Department for the maintenance and care of ancient monuments in England in 1984; and what are the estimates for 1985.

Mr. Macfarlane

The expenditure provision for grants to owners of ancient monuments in 1983–84 was £806,000. I will write to the hon. Member shortly to give him the comparable figures for estimated outturn. This expenditure in 1984–85 is the responsibility of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England.