HL Deb 26 October 1998 vol 593 cc189-91WA
Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to Monuments at Risk Survey of England 1945–95 recently published by Bournemouth University and English Heritage; and what is their reaction to the estimate that 24 per cent. of all monuments in South-East England have been destroyed over the past 50 years. [HL3361]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The Government take seriously the findings of the survey. It provides invaluable information about the state of England's archaeological heritage, and the threats it faces. English Heritage has responded very positively by publishing a number of measures which it is committed to implement. The Government's Planning Policy Guidance Note on archaeology and planning (PPG 16) sets out a framework for addressing the threat to archaeology caused by development, which the survey highlighted. PPG 16, and the possible need for additional legislative and financial measures, will be kept under review in the light of continuing discussions with English Heritage and other relevant government departments.

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to enforce the law prohibiting metal-detection on scheduled ancient monuments and to prevent metal detecting in World Heritage areas. [HL3362]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Permission to use a metal detector on a scheduled ancient monument is granted only in rare circumstances, normally as part of a programme of authorised archaeological investigation under expert supervision. This applies also to scheduled ancient monuments within those World Heritage Sites which have archaeological importance.

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of England is covered by pilot schemes to promote the voluntary recording of archaeological finds by portable antiquities liaison officers; and whether the county of Sussex is currently served by such a liaison officer. [HL3360]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

At present the six pilot schemes to promote the voluntary recording of archaeological objects cover about one third of England; bids have been made to the Heritage Lottery Fund to extend the schemes to a further four areas within England and the whole of Wales from January 1999. Sussex is not at present served by a finds liaison officer, nor will it be included within the planned extension of the scheme.

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What advice they have recently given to Chief Executives of Councils in Sussex on council-owned land; and what advice the Department for Culture, Media and Sport sought from English Heritage, the Council for British Archaeology and from the Standing Conference on Portable Antiquities and the British Museum on this matter. [HL3359]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

In June the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Mr. Fisher, wrote to Chief Executives of councils in Sussex and Lincolnshire regarding their policies relating to the use of metal detectors on council-owned land and suggesting that they send representatives to a meeting with him to discuss the issue. Advice was obtained from English Heritage before the letter was sent; the issue was also raised in advance with the Council for British Archaeology's Portable Antiquities Working Group and the British Museum. Following responses received to the letter, the department will be giving further consideration to this issue before arranging any meetings.