§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many representations English Heritage has received(a) in favour of and (b) against its proposal to move its Ancient Monuments Laboratory to Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth; [47396]
(2) what estimate has been made by English Heritage of the cost of providing Library and other facilities in order to establish a centre of excellence if it relocates its Ancient Monuments Laboratory to Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth; [47400]
(3) how many people visited English Heritage's (a) Ancient Monuments Laboratory in London and (b) Central Archaeological Service in Portsmouth in the most recent year for which figures are available; [47398]
(4) what effect the proposed relocation of English Heritage's Ancient Monuments Laboratory will have on the amount of money in English Heritage's archaeology grants budget available for distribution in 1998–99 and 1999–2000; [47397]
(5) what information has been collected by English Heritage about the proportion of the professional staff in its Ancient Monuments Laboratory who would (a) be happy to relocate and (b) seek alternative employment in the event that the laboratory is relocated to each of the alternative locations considered in recent months; [47401]
(6) if English Heritage intends to consult the people and organisations which use the services of its Ancient Monuments Laboratory about its proposal to move the laboratory to Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth; [47395]
(7) which places were considered by English Heritage as possible future locations for its Ancient Monuments Laboratory; and in respect of each of these places what is the estimated (a) capital value plus conversion cost of the premises,(b) cost of relocating staff, (c) cost of capital equipment for the new laboratory, (d) annual running cost of the new laboratory and (e) annual cost of and time used for official travel by the laboratory's staff. [47399]
§ Mr. BanksThese detailed questions about the relocation of English Heritage's Ancient Monuments Laboratory relate to internal management proposals under consideration by English Heritage's Commissioners about the most efficient and effective deployment of resources to fulfil its archaeological responsibilities. These questions are therefore more appropriately answered by English Heritage itself, and I have asked its Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend. I will ensure that copies are placed in the Libraries of the House. Should English Heritage wish to pursue relocation, my Department would of course consider its business plan.