Liberal Democrats first UK party to have Archaeology policy

Submitted by Andy B on Thursday, 26 September 2002 Page Views: 1278

This morning the Liberal Democrats passed a policy motion on archaeology. Lord Redesdale, Secretary of the All Party Archaeological Group, today called on their Conference to promote and protect archaeology, with the first policy on the subject of any major political party.

He said:
"Archaeology has been brought to the forefront of the popular television programming, with the growing fashion for historical and archaeological subjects.

"Not only is archaeology significant in terms of preserving our cultural heritage, but it has proved a continually popular subject of study in higher education.

"The Liberal Democrats are the first major political party to have a policy for archaeology. I hope that the other parties will follow suit."

Also speaking in the debate was Richard Allan, Liberal Democrat MP for Sheffield. He said:
"Promoting archaeology and protecting archaeological sites is an essential element of our heritage industry whose significance for British tourism and economic progress is consistently underrated.

"Protection for sites of archaeological interest cannot be underestimated, particularly as building development intensifies in England and Wales and people increasingly encounter archaeological remains. It is essential that the public are aware of what to do and that processes are in place to help them deal with it.

"A suitable and practical legislative framework must be put in place to give archaeology the protection it deserves."

Lord Redesdale will publish a spokesman's paper on Archaeology early in the new year."

The motion was passed without any opposition as follows:

F19 Archaeology

Bournemouth
Mover: Lord Redesdale (Lords Spokesperson on Archaeology)
Summation: Richard Allan MP

1 Conference notes that:

2 A. There is widespread interest and support for archaeology, which is based in large measure on a sense of place and a sense of identity.

B. Enthusiasm for the past is a significant factor in tourism within and to the United Kingdom, and to its heritage industry.

C. Archaeology is also a material and significant concern in the planning and development processes on which it can have significant impacts.

Conference believes that:

i) Archaeology is for the community and should be open, accessible and transparent to all.

ii) Archaeology should be protected for the future for all generations; it is not just smething inherited from past generations but something to preserve for future generations.

iii) Archaeology has an important place in life-long learning.

Conference welcomes the recent accession to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

Conference recognises that archaeological sites on land are vulnerable to farming practices and to development; once destroyed an archaeological site or landscape cannot be replaced, and the same is also true of archaeological sites underwater.

Conference supports good practice in countryside management and the development process with regard to archaeology through:

a) Strategic policy that is integrated with allied interests.

b) Sustainable conservation.

c) Practical application.

As informed decisions with regard to archaeology require a comprehensive and accessible record, effective reporting procedures and a practical legislative framework, Conference calls for:

1. Archaeological Sites and Monuments Records and their successors to be adequately funded as a statutory function.

2. A comprehensive and fully funded Portable Antiquities Scheme.

3. Damage to Scheduled Monuments to be included in a criminal justice bill and for the laws relating to archaeological sites to be reviewed and strengthened.

Applicability: England only; except for 3. (lines 30-31) which is England and Wales.

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