§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he proposes in response to the publication by English Heritage of the Register of Buildings at Risk 2000; and if he will make a statement. [127306]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 22 June 2000]: I very much support the Buildings at Risk initiative which is a valuable tool in directing funding to the most important of England's historic buildings which are in urgent need of conservation. Removal of buildings at risk from the register is a key target in the Funding Agreement between my Department and English Heritage (EH), although the exact allocation of resources to this activity is a matter for EH' s Commissioners. It is also important that owners of these buildings play their part in funding conservation works.