§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce statutory controls to require developers to undertake archaeological investigations.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMany developers already contribute voluntarily to archaeological investigations before development. Where a site is scheduled, archaeological evaluations may be required before an application for scheduled monument consent can be determined, or an opportunity for excavation may be required as a condition of consent. Local planning authorities may in some circumstances require further information about the archaeological implications of development proposals before they determine a planning application. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich (Mr. Bowden) on 24 May at column602 about our proposals to issue guidance on such matters.