Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether funding for the heritage economic regeneration scheme is allocated only to areas of deprivation; and if she will make a statement. [40968]
§ Dr. HowellsThe heritage economic regeneration scheme was set up by English Heritage in 1998 to boost the country's deprived urban and rural communities. English Heritage issues guidance to local authorities which explains the funding criteria. They advise that this does not preclude them from assisting schemes in areas which do not rank highly in the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Region's deprivation indices, providing there is a clear regeneration need.