HC Deb 16 July 1992 vol 211 cc1021-2W
Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when staff at Historic Scotland commenced work for the paper on alternatives to scheduling to provide protection of monuments in Scotland; when it will be completed; and what its findings were.

Sir Hector Monro

Officials in Historic Scotland began an investigation of possible alternatives to scheduling last year. Their findings will be presented to the next meeting of the Ancient Monuments Board, in October.

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when the consultants Peat Marwick McLintock commenced their review into the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments (Scotland); how long the review took; when it was completed; how much it cost; and what its findings were:

(2) if he will instruct the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments (Scotland) to inform Historic Scotland of all cases on damage to scheduled monuments caused by trees and vegetation; and if he will review the liaison mechanisms between the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments (Scotland) and Historic Scotland to secure greater efficiency in the preservation of historic monuments.

Sir Hector Monro

I shall write to the hon. Member about these matters.

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has made additional resources available for 1992–93 to Historic Scotland in line with the recommendations of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland.

Sir Hector Monro

Resources have been redeployed within Historic Scotland to enable additional staff time to be devoted to scheduling in the current financial year, consistent with recommendation two in the Ancient Monuments Board's report for 1991.