§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what representations he has received from the villagers of Bradenstoke in Wiltshire concerning their attempt to repatriate the mediaeval barn of Bradenstoke Priory from California; and if he will make a statement; [44331]
(2) what applications the National Lottery has received from the villagers of Bradenstoke concerning the mediaeval barn of Bradenstoke Priory. [44330]
§ Mr. BanksMy Department has received no representations concerning the barn, although I am aware of the proposal to restore it to its original site. The Government have no locus to intervene in the matter. I understand that no application for Lottery funding in respect of the barn has so far been made. The Heritage Lottery Fund would in principle be prepared to consider such an application. Its success would depend upon the Trustees' assessment of the project against their normal funding criteria, which centre on heritage merit and benefit to the public.