HC Deb 19 May 1997 vol 294 cc20-1W
21. Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has for making funds available to preserve and develop piers. [381]

Mr. Tony Banks

Public funding for the built heritage is available from English Heritage and the National Heritage Memorial Fund. English Heritage has so far contributed ELI million for works to piers. The National Heritage Memorial Fund has provided a further £4.5 million, the greater part of which has been lottery funding. Under the terms of the National Heritage Act 1997, the National Heritage Memorial Fund trustees will for the first time be able to consider funding applications in respect of privately owned piers.