ourpasthistory.com » Metal Detecting

PAS update 13th Dec

 

13th December update

 

We now need to ask everyone to re-email their MP's with the information contained below as soon as possible

Please ask your MP to do the following two things:

1. ‘sign the following Early Day Motion (EDM)’:

EDM 566: PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME

That this House recognises the great contribution of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) to transforming the archaeological map of Britain by pro-actively recording archaeological finds made by the public; celebrates the fact that in 10 years the scheme has recorded on its public database more than 300,000 archaeological finds, which would not have otherwise been reported, for the benefit of all; expresses concern at the likely impact of funding cuts proposed for the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), following the recent Comprehensive Spending Review, on the PAS; and urges the Government to ensure that the scheme is at least able to maintain its current levels of activity and to consider urgently whether MLA offers the best home for the PAS or whether another body, such as the British Museum, would not be better placed to provide PAS with a long-term sustainable future.

EDM details here

2. ‘write to James Purnell (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport), expressing concern that if funding for the Portable Antiquities Scheme is not sustained then its activities will be reduced’: £1.49M is needed for PAS in 2008/9.

Other messages you might wish to add:

• Why is the PAS important to you?
• How you think metal-detecting contributes to archaeology.
• Currently MLA intends to freeze funding for PAS at £1.3M for 2008/9. This means that 5 posts within the Scheme will be lost.
• In the long-term MLA wants to integrate PAS with its flagship project funding local museums call Renaissance. Finders will want guarantees that PAS continues to have a Central Unit that controls local partner grants, so that all FLO's provide a similar level of service and have the same training and expertise and there is a similar service provided to all.
• The current uncertainties over funding may mean that some FLO's become demoralised and leave PAS.

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