§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much in public funds has been spent on the renovation and upkeep of Lochranza castle in each of the past 20 years; and what further expenditure is proposed.
§ Sir Hector MonroResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to Historic Scotland under its chief executive, Mr. Graeme Munro. I have asked Mr. Munro to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Graeme Munro to Mr Brian Wilson, dated 18 January 1995:
- 1. Sir Hector Monro has asked me to reply to your Question 272 of 11 January about the cost of renovation and upkeep of Lochranza Castle on Arran.
- 2. Lochranza Castle has been in the Secretary of State's guardianship since 1956. Under Section 13 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, guardianship gives the Secretary of State a duty to maintain the Castle and full control and management of it. The maintenance and management are carried
575 out by Historic Scotland on behalf of the Secretary of State. The Castle is open to the public free of charge. - 3. The information which you sought about costs over the past 20 years and our future expenditure plans is:
- 3.1 Between 1975 and 1985 we carried out routine maintenance at a cost of approximately £2,000 per annum;
- 3.2 Between 1986 and 1990, we spent £79,000 consolidating the main entrance tower and repairing a collapsed sea wall, as well as carrying out routine maintenance;
- 3.3 Between 1991 and 1994, we carried out routine maintenance at a cost of about £1,000 per annum;
- 3.4 Over the next five years, we plan to undertake another phase of consolidation work which we expect will cost about £15,000 to £20,000 per year.
I am sorry that precise annual figures are not immediately available but I hope that this letter provides the information which you need. Please let me know if I can help further.