33. Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to seek to alter his legal powers to deter damaging intrusions on to the sites of ancient monuments.
§ Mr. TraceyResponsibility for safeguarding most public monuments rests with the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to alter his powers under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 or under the National Heritage Act 1983. I understand, however, that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is discussing with the police and with other interested parties whether any strengthening of the general law is required to deal with problems caused by travelling convoys which sometimes represent a threat to ancient monuments.