§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the discovery of the site of the Rose theatre in Southwark, he will ask English Heritage to reconsider its decision not to recommend the Globe theatre site for scheduling.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe importance of the Globe theatre site is unquestioned. It has not been scheduled so far because there is no evidence to show exactly where the theatre stood. This means that an unjustifiably large area would have to be scheduled.422W English Heritage has, however, written to the London borough of Southwark suggesting that, before any application for the site's redevelopment is determined, an archaeological evaluation should be undertaken to determine the exact location of any remains. In the light of the results of such an evaluation English Heritage will reconsider where there is a case for scheduling the Globe theatre site. We shall, of course, consider any such recommendation very carefully.