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Written question asked by Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party) on Wednesday, 12 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 December 2007. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 December 2007 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Giant's Causeway

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his Department's responsibility is for ensuring the conformity of the planning application for a visitor's centre at Giant's Causeway with UNESCO's requirement for World Heritage status; what his Department's view is on whether the application is in conformity with that status; what representations his Department received on the matter (a) before and (b) after 10 September; what discussions his Department has had with (i) UNESCO and (ii) the Northern Ireland Executive on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

My Department's responsibility for World Heritage issues is set out in the concordat with Northern Ireland reproduced as follows. This responsibility includes reporting to UNESCO on all UK World Heritage sites. Discussions on the planning application for a new visitor centre for the Giant's Causeway are still under way and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.My officials were contacted by DOENI officials on 10 September on which date DOENI officials also wrote to the World Heritage Centre. My officials have remained in contact to discuss details of the planning application process and the responsibilities of my Department as State Party signatory to the World Heritage Convention.DCMS officials briefed World Heritage Centre officials in Paris on 15 October. My Department will send a report to the World Heritage Committee by the end of January 2008 for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its meeting in July 2008.I met the Northern Ireland Minister for Environment on 13 December.World Heritage Site Concordat with Northern Ireland"World Heritage Sites: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will be responsible for the UK Government's overall policy on World Heritage Sites and exercise a co-ordinating role in its relationship with UNESCO on this issue. Within this overall policy each of the devolved administrations will, however, continue to be responsible for identifying individual Sites within their territory, advising the UK Government on their suitability for nomination, and for dealing with issues which may arise about the proper management of those sites. DCMS will chair regular meetings to discuss World Heritage issues of mutual concern."

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
469 c1412-3W; 174578
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Giant's Causeway
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk