HC Deb 15 July 1999 vol 335 cc281-2W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out the responsibilities of English Heritage in relation to local government archaeological services. [89404]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 2 July 1999]: English Heritage has policy responsibility for advising Local Authorities on the adequacy of their archaeological services; more specifically it assists with the funding of archaeological posts in local authorities connected with data gathering and the maintenance of Sites and Monuments Records (a contribution of £164,752 in 1999–2000). It also funds survey work, totalling £387,876 in 1999/2000; provides archaeological planning advice to the Greater London Boroughs; provides eight scientific advisers to assist local authorities' archaeological curators (with a ninth post due to be filled shortly); and funds an administrative support post for the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people were employed in local government archaeological services(a) in 1990 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [89403]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 2 July 1999]: A 'RESCUE' (The British Archaeological Trust) survey in 1990 indicated that 1,021 people were employed in local government archaeological services in that year; I understand that a forthcoming report by the Institute of Field Archaeologists and the Council for British Archaeology will show that, at September 1998, 795 people were employed. The reduction partly reflects the increase in the provision of private sector archaeological services following the publication in 1990 of Planning Policy Guidance Note 16—Archaeology and Planning.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment regarding the development of NVQs in archaeology. [98414]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 2 July 1999]: None, but the relevance of NVQs to archaeology is one of the issues being considered by English Heritage and archaeological bodies within English Heritage's Training Liaison Forum.