Archaeology: Finance

Mr. Garnier
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for funding of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in the period 2008 to 2012; what plans he has to provide support for finds liaison officers; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Therefore, any decisions on its future funding will be taken by the MLA.

David Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been allocated to the Portable Antiquities Scheme in each of the financial years to 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge
The funding for the Portable Antiquities Scheme is a matter for the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. No final decisions have yet been made by the MLA on future funding of the scheme.

David Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in recording archaeological finds made by members of the public; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge
An assessment of MLA’s effectiveness against all the targets set in its Funding Agreement, including those for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, was carried out earlier this year.

The Portable Antiquities Scheme has made a significant contribution to encouraging the reporting of archaeological finds by members of the public.

David Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council on the future funding of the Portable Antiquities Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge
An assessment of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council's (MLA) effectiveness against all the targets set in its Funding Agreement, including those for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, was carried out earlier this year.

Decisions regarding future funding for the Portable Antiquities Scheme are the responsibility of the MLA.