§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to help the preservation of the Wemyss and other ancient caves, their carvings and paintings in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Government have contributed to the cost of a study commissioned by Fife region and Kirkcaldy district to examine the structural engineering problems in the environs of Wemyss caves, grant aided a design study on coastal protection measures and contributed to the cost of a comprehensive programme of casting the Pictish and other stone carvings within the caves. We have also undertaken to look sympathetically at an application for assistance, under the scheme of grants to owners of ancient monuments, towards the cost of protection works should any such application be made.
The preservation of historically important caves in Scotland is ensured by taking them into the Secretary of State's guardianship, as is the case with St. Cormac's and 557W St. Ninian's, or by scheduling them, as is the case with Wemyss caves. In one instance, Covesea cave, we have funded the excavation of threatened archaeological deposits.