§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the first national survey of the scheduled ancient monuments in Scotland was completed; when and in what form it will be published; if he will list the damage identified by the survey to scheduled ancient monuments in Scotland from natural forces, vegetation and animals; and what moneys he has allocated during this financial year to tackle the damage identified in the first national survey of scheduled ancient monuments.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 25 October 1993]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Historic Scotland. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. Graeme Munro, to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from G. N. Munro to Mr. Nigel Griffiths, dated 28 October 1993:
Sir Hector Monro MP, the Minister for Agriculture and Environment at The Scottish Office has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when the first national survey of scheduled ancient monuments in Scotland was completed and when and in what form it would be published.The survey of scheduled ancient monuments is not a "one-off" project with a definite end when a final report can be prepared. Because it involves the continuous monitoring by Historic Scotland's monument wardens on a three to four year cycle of all the scheduled monuments (including the 300 new sites scheduled each year) the results are constantly being updated. The first round of visits by wardens has not yet been completed in three areas—Shetland, Orkney and West Strathclyde (Argyll and Bute).You also asked the Secretary of State if he would list the damage identified by the survey of scheduled ancient monuments from natural forces, vegetation and animals and what monies he had allocated this financial year to tackle the damage identified.Analyses of the results of the first round of warden visits are presently being prepared for Highland South and Tayside and Borders Regions for the use of my staff in their conservation work. The publication of summary articles in the professional archaeological press, containing the statistical information you mention, is being considered.Funds are not specifically allocated for tackling damage to monuments identified by our wardens as being at risk. However monies are available for this sort of work and in financial year 1993–94 these are £14,000 for management agreements under section 17 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and £189,000 for grant aid for the repair of monuments under section 24 of the 1979 Act.