§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many scheduled ancient monuments are currently at risk as a result of ploughing; and how many have been damaged since the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
§ Mr. BrookeI refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on I March,Official Report, column 14. It is not known how many scheduled monuments are at risk as a result of ploughing or how many may have been damaged through ploughing since 1979. English Heritage will shortly be embarking on a study to identify those monuments most at risk.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to propose to landowners practical and financial arrangements to prevent the destruction of scheduled ancient monuments through ploughing.
§ Mr. BrookeEnglish Heritage already offers advice to landowners and, under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, often negotiates management agreements, which can involve financial payment, for the protection of sites. I will consider the case for further action in the light of the study which English Heritage is about to undertake of monuments at risk from ploughing.