What account is taken of recommendations by English Heritage when decisions are taken to list buildings.

The Secretary of State has a statutory duty to consult English Heritage on listing decisions. Full account is taken of English Heritage's advice and recommendations, together with any other relevant representations that may be made.

I understand that English Heritage made a very strong recommendation that Ibsley control tower should be listed. Given that the Minister is accountable to Parliament, will she give us a detailed explanation of why the Secretary of State chose to overrule that recommendation?

After careful consideration of all the evidence, as the responsible Minister I decided that the building did not have sufficient architectural or historical interest to merit listing.

Is the Minister aware that there is a serious problem in getting buildings listed as a result of English Heritage being understaffed? Will she look into that and, for starters, see how English Heritage can go into Britain's oldest recorded town, where many buildings are historic, but threatened with demolition?

After a long time in which English Heritage had a flat cash settlement from the Government, we have been able in the latest comprehensive spending review settlement to ensure that it has additional resources over a three-year period. The House will shortly be considering the draft legislation resulting from the heritage protection review and I hope that, in that context, we can have an interesting discussion about the varying roles of English Heritage, the Department and other stakeholders, and the proper processes and funding required to carry them out.

Flag Fen, to the east of Peterborough, is one of the finest bronze age sites in Europe, having been discovered literally by accident in 1982. It is presently in receipt of only English Heritage funding—no other Government funding—to the extent that its excavation and exhibition work is under threat. Will the Minister give an undertaking to look further into the level of funding for Flag Fen so that we can preserve this unique site for future generations?

I do not know the details of the particular issues surrounding Flag Fen in the hon. Gentleman's constituency, so I would be extremely grateful if he would write to me with them so that I can consider the matter. English Heritage is one of the organisations with resources available to it to try to ensure that we protect and look after our valuable and wonderful heritage that is such an intrinsic part of Britain today.