HC Deb 08 January 2001 vol 360 cc364-5W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to protect historic field systems from damage. [143767]

Mr. Alan Howarth

Under the Monuments Protection Programme, this Department and English Heritage are undertaking a systematic review of England's archaeological resource, with a view to providing statutory protection, through scheduling, to those sites identified as being of national interest. Historic field systems are being assessed in this context. Once a site has been scheduled, specific consent has to be obtained from my right hon. Friend before any works can be carried out that could damage the monument.