Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Robert Key (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 28 January 2008 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Portable Antiquities Scheme

Question: I encourage the Minister, in her constant battle with the Treasury, to ensure that the scheme is expanded rather than frozen. It is one of the great success stories in the world of archaeology and my county archaeologist told me only this morning that in Wiltshire alone—which has the world heritage site of Stonehenge and Avebury—more than 20 Roman sites a year are being identified. Relations with metal detectorists, which have been bad for years, are suddenly coming good, and that is to the benefit of the whole of archaeology.

Answer: I assure the hon. Gentleman that we have very good relationships with the Treasury, not least because we have an ex-Chief Secretary as our Secretary of State. We achieved a good settlement in tight fiscal circumstances for the whole of the DCMS budget. I have no doubt that the scheme will continue in good health, but a review is sensible, to discover whether any good synergies will emerge from relocation. That could save money at the back end so that more can be spent on front-line services.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 471 c7
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Archaeology Finance Portable antiquities scheme Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk