§ Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthornasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment has been made of the effects of deep-ploughing at Verulamium; and why they have not taken effective steps to prevent the landowner or his tenants from continuing the consequent destruction of stratified late Roman levels at this site. [HL5357]
85WA
§ The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone)The Oxford Archaeological Unit (on behalf of English Heritage) carried out a programme of test pitting in the north-western half of Verulamium Roman Town. Its report, published in May 2000, indicated that there was evidence of erosion of the archaeological resource in part of the site.
English Heritage embarked on negotiations with the estate owner with a view to agreeing terms by which the land could voluntarily be taken out of cultivation. Although there have been extensive discussions, English Heritage and the estate owner have not been able to make a long term agreement about the land. For the moment, however, the estate has agreed to limit its activity at the monument to minimal cultivation. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is now reviewing the options open to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State in order to find a long-term solution to safeguard the archaeology at the monument.
Officials have informed the owner that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is considering what action to take to protect the monument.