§ Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthornasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to encourage local education authorities to support educational services to schools provided by local public organisations in view of the threatened closure of the Northamptonshire Heritage Education Service and the Worcestershire Archaeological Service in response to government-imposed restrictions on public spending; and [HL973]
Whether they intend to provide statutory protection for local authority archaeology services in order to ensure that the requirements of Planning Policy Guidance 15 and Planning Policy Guidance 16 can be effectively discharged in view of the threat to cut such services in Worcestershire due to government-imposed restrictions on public spending. [HL974]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyIt is for local authorities to determine their priorities within a settlement which is the most generous for years. English Heritage has emphasised to Worcestershire County Council the importance of retaining archaeological services and I am now pleased to hear that archaeological, museum and library services in Worcestershire will not be cut back. The provision of archaeological services is in any case kept under review by the Department and English Heritage, and, where necessary, English Heritage will continue its policy of funding archaeological posts in local authorities. In 1998–99 it is funding 11 posts at a total cost of £107, 000; in 1999–2000 this will rise to 14 posts, costing £150, 000. We have no present plans to provide statutory protection for local authority archaeological services.