HC Deb 17 June 2003 vol 407 cc146-7W
Nick Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment she has made of the conservation of literary landmarks. [118002]

Estelle Morris

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no assessment of the conservation of literary landmarks. However, English Heritage offers grants for the repair and conservation of historic buildings, monuments, areas and historic parks and gardens. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) distributes money raised by the National Lottery to support all aspects of heritage in the UK, from historic buildings and museums to archives, nature conservation and oral history. The HLF provides both capital grants (for buildings and equipment) and time-limited activity grants. Further information is available from both organisations.

Nick Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent on conserving landmarks broken down by(a) type and (b) region in each of the last 10 years. [118003]

Estelle Morris

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, information about the types of grant available for conservation of this historic environment is available at the English Heritage (EH) and Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) websites. The HLF are also developing a searchable database of Heritage Lottery Fund grants on their site.

Nick Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many landmarks have been identified by her Department for conservation broken down by region in each of the last 10 years. [118004]

Estelle Morris

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is not responsible for identifying landmarks for conservation. Planning Policy Guidance Note 16 issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister makes clear that detailed development plans (i.e. local and unitary development plans) should include policies for the protection, enhancement and preservation of sites of archaeological interest and of their settings.