§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will now consult the National Council for Metal Detecting concerning treasure trove.
§ Mr. BrookeTreasure trove is now the responsibility of my Department. The National Council for Metal Detecting has been consulted on treasure trove by the sponsors of a private peer's Bill, the Treasure Bill, which secured Government support during its passage through the House of Lords. The Bill aims to reform the law of treasure trove and provides for a statutory code of practice on the payment of rewards. If the Bill completes its passage through the Commons, my Department has undertaken to consult interested parties on the code of practice and this consultation would certainly include the National Council for Metal Detecting.