HL Deb 20 February 1986 vol 471 cc811-2WA
Baroness Airey of Abingdon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they propose to increase the resources available to the National Heritage Memorial Fund and if a statement can be made.

Lord Elton

Her Majesty's Government accept that a number of important demands will be made on the reserves of the National Heritage Memorial Fund in 1985–86 and 1986–87 in order to prevent the export of works of art or the loss of land and buildings which form part of the national heritage. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State proposes to increase the resources available to the Fund by £10.5 million in the current financial year. This sum has been financed from receipts and adjustments within my department's programmes and there will be no overall increase in public expenditure. Added to the grant of £3 million which my right honourable friend the Minister for the Arts and I plan to give the NHMF on 1st April 1986, these extra resources will ensure that the fund can continue its important work.